The classical period in history falls between the baroque and romantic periods. It was a time of huge change for music because it brought out some of music’s most famous composers such as Beethoven and Mozart. Along with these legendary composers, is Johann Michael Haydn, the brother of another famous classical composer Joseph Haydn. Many historians focus on Joseph’s life, but fail to recognize his younger brother’s famous works and successes. Often, Michael Haydn is known as “the younger brother of Joseph” making his brilliant pieces unnoticed and uncredited for. Michael Haydn, the Austrian composer, had a compelling history that influenced his music and works throughout his life. Michael Haydn was born in 1737 in Lower Austria. “His father
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Everyone knew who Joseph Haydn was, but not everyone knew who Michael was. Throughout his lifetime, Haydn was best known for church music. Many people are unaware of Mozart and Haydn’s relationship and the impact it had on Haydn’s career. Both the Wolfgang family and Haydn’s were very close. Mozart composed pieces for Haydn when he was sick, and Haydn returned the favor years later and composed for him. Haydn has just recently claimed rights for some of his pieces. A New York times writer states, “If Michael Haydn worked in the shadow of his more celebrated fellow classicists, the shadows are now parting on a composer who has a just claim to recognition in his own right” (Pincus). For example, Beethoven’s symphony number twenty-six was actually composed by Haydn. Mozart had borrowed the work, but never returned it taking full credit for Haydn’s piece. Haydn wrote many works including forty symphonies. However, most were never published in his lifetime and therefore he never got the credit he deserved. Most of the time it isn’t until the famous composer dies that their works become famous and get credit. Being famous for church music, Haydn wrote over 400 pieces. His most famous piece is the Requiem in C minor (Arnold). When people think of the Requiem, they think of Mozart. Mozart did write his own version of the Requiem, but it was years later after Haydn’s. Interestingly, it seems that Mozart’s work had similarities to Haydn’s. This proves further that Haydn received way less credit than he deserved (Arnold). Haydn’s sacred music was most popular among all of his works including instrumental. He is described “Master in church style from his friend Rettensteiner” (Arnold). Although his sacred works received the most attention, he did have famous instrumental works. Most of them were known for rhythmic themes and included combo of two violins and bass. Throughout his
Everyone knew who Joseph Haydn was, but not everyone knew who Michael was. Throughout his lifetime, Haydn was best known for church music. Many people are unaware of Mozart and Haydn’s relationship and the impact it had on Haydn’s career. Both the Wolfgang family and Haydn’s were very close. Mozart composed pieces for Haydn when he was sick, and Haydn returned the favor years later and composed for him. Haydn has just recently claimed rights for some of his pieces. A New York times writer states, “If Michael Haydn worked in the shadow of his more celebrated fellow classicists, the shadows are now parting on a composer who has a just claim to recognition in his own right” (Pincus). For example, Beethoven’s symphony number twenty-six was actually composed by Haydn. Mozart had borrowed the work, but never returned it taking full credit for Haydn’s piece. Haydn wrote many works including forty symphonies. However, most were never published in his lifetime and therefore he never got the credit he deserved. Most of the time it isn’t until the famous composer dies that their works become famous and get credit. Being famous for church music, Haydn wrote over 400 pieces. His most famous piece is the Requiem in C minor (Arnold). When people think of the Requiem, they think of Mozart. Mozart did write his own version of the Requiem, but it was years later after Haydn’s. Interestingly, it seems that Mozart’s work had similarities to Haydn’s. This proves further that Haydn received way less credit than he deserved (Arnold). Haydn’s sacred music was most popular among all of his works including instrumental. He is described “Master in church style from his friend Rettensteiner” (Arnold). Although his sacred works received the most attention, he did have famous instrumental works. Most of them were known for rhythmic themes and included combo of two violins and bass. Throughout his