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Classicism
Reached its peak towards
the end of the eighteenth
century
Liberal ideas of
enlightened rulers such
as Joseph II of Vienna
(right) attracted
composers from all over
Europe
Esterhza
Summer country
palace of the
Esterhzy family,
rivalling Versailles in
splendor
Haydn composed,
conducted,
trained musicians,
and kept
instruments in
repair
Esterhza
Nicolaus (successor to
the first prince Haydn
served) played the
baryton (an instrument of
fading importance) and
had Haydn write much for
him
Haydn kept up on trends
when in the Vienna
palace (right), but relative
isolation at Esterhza
helped him become more
original
Haydns Symphonies
He composed more than 104 symphonies, at least 92
of which before 1789 (mostly for the Esterhza
orchestra)
Many have nicknames which Haydn didnt give them
The Paris symphonies (Nos. 82-87) & London
symphonies (Nos. 92-104) written for commission
Early symphonies: usually 3 movements (fast-slowfast); some have 4 movements in one key, like the
Baroque sonata della chiesa
By the late 1760s, he worked in the 4-movement form
Allegro, andante moderato, minuet & trio, allegro