Even in his own lifetime, Franz Joseph Haydn was known as “Papa.” His benevolent handling of his musicians at the court of Esterháza and beyond earned him their undying affection.
His Symphony No. 45, the “Farewell” Symphony, is a famous example of Haydn looking out for his men. When the musicians were kept on longer than expected at the Prince’s summer palace, a full day’s ride from their homes and families, Haydn composed this “protest symphony” as a suggestion to his employer that perhaps it was time to return to Eisenstadt.
In the final movement, the musicians stop playing one by one, snuff out the candles on their music stands, and leave the orchestra, until just two muted violins remain. (One of these was played by Haydn himself in the first performance.) The Prince got the message, and gave the command for the journey back to be undertaken the next day. Hence, Haydn was able to press his point, characteristically, with good humor and without conflict.
The nickname of “Papa” clung to him even after his death, as musicians, audiences and musicologists acknowledged their debt to the man who had trail-blazed the enduring forms of both the symphony and the string quartet.
I hope you’ll join me this morning, as we pay tribute to this seminal figure on his birthday. Despite his charm, craftsmanship and fairly consistent level of inspiration, Haydn remains, in many respects, in the shadows of Mozart and Beethoven.
The playlist may not be all-Haydn – there could be a few tributes by later composers and perhaps a nod or two to the 18th century by some 20th century neoclassicists – but we’ll try to keep the flavor distinctly Haydnesque.
Be prepared to have your socks charmed off (with benevolence, of course), from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com. Come to Papa, on Classic Ross Amico.
PHOTO: The composer, enjoying some of that Haydnesque flavor