Franz Joseph Haydn is considered one of the most significant composers of the classical era. He was born in Rohrau, Austria, and began his musical career as a choirboy in Vienna. His musical talent was recognized at an early age, and he received training from some of the leading musicians of the time. As a composer, Hayden showed his creative talents by composing over 108 symphonies, 68 string quartets, 62 piano sonatas, and numerous other works, which established him as a leading figure in the classical period. Hayden plays a huge role in the development of the classical style from a historical perspective. His music is known for its melodic inventiveness, harmonic richness, and use of humor and surprise.
Haydn began his career in the middle
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Haydn was instrumental in developing the style, specifically with his string quartets and symphonies (Knudson). Haydn is often referred to as the "father of the symphony" for developing the form and establishing it as a genre (New World Encyclopedia). Early symphonies consisted of three parts: a fast start, slow middle, and fast closing. Haydn developed that into a four movement work by adding another middle movement. Haydn increased the size of the orchestra and introduced new instruments such as clarinets, horns, and trumpets. This allowed for a greater range of sound and dynamics, allowing him to be more complex and dynamic with his compositions. This four movement structure of the symphony later became the standard for the classical era (New World Encyclopedia). Haydn did not only impact the classical era through his innovation on the musical arts, but also he influenced his fellow artists, the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. Both Mozart and Beethoven were influenced by Haydn's works, and Beethoven especially studied under Haydn in Vienna. Haydn's influence on Beethoven is evident in many of his early works