Haydn Evening

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 37, 28 March 1930, Page 7

Haydn Evening

Haydn

/ ( Life and Works LMOST two hundred "years have elapsed since Haydn was born in ’ .an Austrian farmhouse, to poor and { humble parents. On March 81, Monday next, the 198th anniversary of his birthday will be celebrated at 1YA. Having not been blessed with a good start in life, the boy Haydn -was sent to work at.an-early age. Fortunately, however, his musical aptitude soon became apparent and he was given a chance under the tutorship of good musicians. He was trained under the old hard system and learned his notes in constant fear of the birch. .- While yet a youth he joined the choir of the Vienna Cathedral, but was expelled beeause of a childish prank. As a young man he found life hard and was encouraged but little, until he attracted the attention of a wealthy countess. At the age of twenty-eight he married, but unhappily. A little later he became leader of a family orchestra and on its disbanding he went to London. It was here, by writing for concerts, he first indicated to the world that he was a musician of unusual ability. His compositions were in the main symphonies and sonatas, -and it is for these that he has become known as the "father of the symphony and the sonata." Before his time these forms of music were unknown, music having been written to verse as songs, or to illustrate a certain story. Haydn broke this tradition and so perpetuated his name. He altogether wrote over 150 well-known sonatas and symphonies. Notable among these is the "Sonata in BH flat" (the first movement of which will be played by Mr. Waters). FoR those not conversant with musical terms, let us digress to examine the meaning of the term "sonata." A sonata is essentially a composition for an instrument, or instruments; it has a definite plan. In a modern sense the sonata consists of three or four move- » ments of contrasting character-grave and gay. The first and last usually comprise the theme, and between these are many variations in different keys. During his sojourn in London the great Austrian composer heard the National Anthem and decided that there must be one for his homeland, and so the delightful hymn "Austria" came to be. The other great composition written on his return was the "Creation," a great oritoria that ranks as a good third to «The Messiah" (Handel) and "Blijah" (Mendelssohn). The "Creation" has been broadcast on several occasions, the last being from 2YA--a performance of the Hutt Valley Choral Society. Written in his old age, "The Creation" was the last public performance the great musician-composer attended, The excitement was too great for a mau who was rapidly failing. "Not I, but the Power from: above, created

that," he cried at one point. He was carxied away and it is said, as he passed Beethoven, who attended the performance, that the latter, in tears, fervently kissed his hand. HAYDN was a dying man when, in 1809, Vienna was under the fire of the invading French armies. Although his household was terrified, the musician took it all very calmly and requested that he should be lifted from his bed to the piano, and midst the terrific din, thrice played his own composition, the Austrian National Anthem. But his great spirit was rapidly fading and before the population of the terrified capital had time to recover from the shock of the French invasion Haydn had died. HE left a wide variety of compositions, though the general tone of his musie is light and airy, appealing to both young and old. His delightful "Rondos" and "Minuets" will be ever played to delight their hearers, while the solemn beauty of his oritoria will make that composition forever beloved by those who can appreciate musie such as this.