Franz Joseph Haydn's Symphony

Franz Joseph Haydn was a German composer whose life story is one of trials and triumphs. As Philip G. Downs states, Haydn was born “the oldest son of the twenty children from his father’s two marriages” (199). Obviously, he and his family faced severe poverty. In spite of that, at a very early age Haydn’s musical gifts were noticeable. “Not only was he a gifted instrumentalist and composer, he also had a fantastic singing voice” (145). In fact, before he was seven years old left his father’s house in order to hone in his gifts and really get established in his musical education. Though immensely talented, Haydn’ struggled a little during his early life, having ups and downs, taking odd jobs and receiving little recognition and pay.

Haydn’s Symphony No. 100 in G major came in one of those ups and downs mentioned earlier. But out of that tough time, Haydn’s Symphony 100 “enjoyed a career-high success. His Military Symphony was the 1794 season’s third and final premiere… “The audience demanded an encore after the second movement, which introduced ‘Turkish’ instruments previously only heard in the Opera House” Haydn’s Symphony is a loud robust piece. It is amazing. Even at its low ebbs and softer playing, there was so much color that came out of that music. It is adventurous, stirring, and thought provoking. It was also innovative. It introduced “Turkish” instruments (triangle, crash cymbals, and bass drum). (1). When listening to the song, now, it is reminiscent of the musical score in various movies. I feel like I would be able to quite easily have pieces of the music play in the background of certain scenes. It was also innovative in that it introduced a solo trumpet fanfare. It also “features a memorable second movement that combines the concept of variations with a simple three-part, or ternary, structure that can be diagrammed as A-B-A.” (145). It has been copied, sampled, and altered by various