“Since God has given me a cheerful heart,
He will forgive me for serving Him cheerfully.” -F.J. Haydn

Franz Josef Haydn is revered as one of the most remarkable music geniuses of his time. Over the years he became known as the “Father of the String Quartet,” only one among several paternal titles attributed to him during his musical career. Georg Thomson comments on him, “A genius of this kind never before existed and probably never will be surpassed. He is… the father of us all.” Haydn certainly did make an impression on the people of his time, but likely could not have imagined the great impact he would make on the listeners of his music throughout the ages. Truly, in the case of Haydn, it is not merely the compositions we ought to admire; it is, indeed, the composer himself.

Haydn was born on March 31, 1732, into a poor, peasant family, who resided in the small village of Rohrau, Austria. He was raised in a Roman Catholic home, and was very grateful to his parents for “bringing him up in the fear of God.” Though he was encouraged by his parents to enter into the priesthood, Haydn felt that his calling was in the field of music. Mathias and Elizabeth Haydn had a great love for
music. Mathias would regularly play his harp as Elizabeth would sing along. The Haydn children were raised in a home full of music. This, no doubt, affected Haydn’s musical interests. He did not only love music, he craved it. On at least one occasion as a young boy, Haydn took two sticks from the ground and, with them, pretended to play the violin. By the time he was six years old, his family recognized his talents and sought musical training for him in a town nearby. Under the study of Johann Mathias Frankh, he began to learn the violin and harpsichord. Haydn recalled that his first music teacher was prone to criticize him more than offer him praise, but the strictness of his teacher paid off. By the time Haydn was eight years old, he became a choirboy at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. He retained this position for the next nine years.

By the time Haydn reached seventeen years of age, his voice broke. Being of no use to the choir, he was dismissed. Haydn found himself to be destitute, apart from the refuge he had depended on for so many years during his career as a choirboy. Through desperate attempts to make a living, he was able to find a few music students, and occasionally was offered employment performing as a violinist. During his free time, Haydn devoted himself to his musical studies. In time, Haydn found himself employed as the music director of the court of Count Morzin. His prospects began to brighten as he made a living on his first regular job.

In 1761, Haydn had the honor of being offered musical employment by Prince Paul Esterhazy. This turned his fortunes around much for the better, and Haydn enjoyed residing in the Prince’s country state, being surrounded by the best musical environment a composer could desire. For the following three decades, Haydn remained employed by the Prince, and composed an enormous amount of music during his stay. Throughout the years at the estate, among several other works, he completed 104 symphonies, 76 string quartets, and dozens of chamber pieces.

When Haydn was young, he fell in love with a girl who, to his great dismay, later joined the convent. Soon afterward, Haydn made the impulsive decision to propose to the girl’s older sister, who accepted him. The marriage proved the couple to be an incompatible pair. Though Haydn and his wife later separated, he would not consider divorce, and throughout his lifetime generously provided for her, remembering also to include her in his will.

During his employment at Prince Esterhazy’s estate, Haydn formed a close friendship with W.A. Mozart, and made great efforts to publicize his friend’s great talent. Mozart composed six quartets in 1785 which he dedicated to Haydn. The two composers had mutual respect and appreciation for each other; Haydn considered Mozart’s musical genius to be far greater than his own. Mozart said affectionately of his friend, “He alone has the secret of making me smile, and touching me to the bottom of my soul.”

Haydn’s character was one of optimism and joy. In all that he did, he would strive to do it cheerfully. His delightful behaviour wasn’t always appreciated by others, however. Certain members of the Church considered his joyous enthusiasm to be inappropriate. His response to his critics was simply, “Since God has given me a cheerful heart, He will forgive me for serving Him cheerfully.” Haydn recognized his
own happy disposition; he commented on himself, “anyone can see by the look of me that I am a good-natured sort of fellow.”

Accomplished as Haydn was, he never sought his own glory. Haydn, in all his actions and speech, attributed the glory to his Lord. “I offer all my praises to Almighty God, for I owe them to Him alone,” he wrote in his autobiography. Haydn’s success did not mar his character; his humility remained throughout his lifetime. Once, as one of his admirers began showering praise upon the composer, Haydn interrupted, “do not speak so to me. You see only a man whom God has granted talent and a good heart.” Haydn was more than content with the simplicity of life. He did not envy that which he had not been given. Though Haydn had made fortunate connections with noblemen, emperors, and kings, he preferred to share intimate friendships with men “of his own status.”

Haydn was a faithful man, highly respected by members of the Church. He strove to place the emphasis of his faith upon Christ, and though he had memorized the Mass, he once altered its words in order to make them more Christ-centered. A Protestant clergyman of his acquaintance commented that Haydn “appeared to me to be a religious character, and not only attentive to the forms and usages of his church, but under the influences of a devotional spirit.” He even considered Haydn to be “his spiritual father.” It was Haydn’s aim to reflect his Creator in all the music he composed. Of The Creation, Haydn explained that this famous work was written for the purpose of inspiring others unto “the adoration and worship of the Creator,” and to cause those who listen to be put “in a frame of mind where he is most susceptible to the kindness and omnipotence of the Creator.”

On May 31, 1809, Haydn’s full life came to an end. In his will, no one was forgotten. He was generous with all, and ended his will with the words, “I commend my soul to my all-merciful Creator.” Haydn was buried in a small churchyard near his home in Wein. His request had been, however, to be buried at the parish church of Eisenstadt; eventually, his request was honored, and his body was moved there eleven years later.

With all the gifts he had been granted, Haydn served his Saviour until the end of his days. He was confident that his work of service had been well-pleasing to God. He encouraged others to serve fervently, just as he had done. He stated with confidence, “I know that God has favored me, and recognize it thankfully. I also believe that I have done my duty and have been of use to the world through my works. Let others do the same!”

Bio:

Rachel Eyre resides in eastern Washington state, and plays the violin. She, too, remembers a time when she had to content herself with strange objects, like sticks, to play music on.