Franz Joseph Haydn

Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn (March 31, 1732 – May 31, 1809) was a seminal composer of the Classical era. He is credited as the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet.” He was a friend and colleague of the younger composer Mozart, and likely influenced Mozart’s own work in the string quartet genre.

For nearly three decades, Haydn served the wealthy Esterházy family, and spent much of his time away from Vienna at a remote estate in Hungary. He often suggested the experience "forced [him] to become original.” With Haydn providing the evening’s entertainment, the Esterháza estate became a destination for Europe’s most powerful people, and Haydn became the most famous composer of his time. After the death of Nikolaus Esterházy, Haydn became a freelance musician and traveled to London where he enjoyed money and fame.