Joseph Haydn

Donald Macleod explores the prolific life of Joseph Haydn, with a
spotlight on his masses


Joseph Haydn’s prodigious creativity earned him the titles Father
of the Symphony and Father of the String Quartet. However, he was
also occupied with sacred music throughout his career. This week,
as Donald Macleod follows Haydn’s journey from humble choirboy to
Europe’s most celebrated composer, he shines the spotlight on
music from Haydn’s many settings of the Mass. It's music that is
as chock-full of invention and character as any of the
instrumental forms he made his own.


In this week’s episode Donald illustrates Haydn’s generosity and
sense of humour, the obstacles thrown into Haydn’s path
throughout his career, the importance he placed on religion, and
the effect war and turmoil had on his music. Also, the
extraordinary story of how Haydn lost his head.


Music featured: Mass in B flat major ‘Harmoniemesse’ Symphony No
94 in G major ‘Surprise’ (Andante) Mass in B flat major
‘Theresienmesse’ String Quartet in B minor, Op 64 No 2 Organ
Concerto in C major Piano Trio No 17 in F major Mass in G major
‘Missa Sancti Nicolai’: Agnus Dei Stabat Mater: Sancta Mater Mass
in F major ‘Missa brevis a due soprani’ Arianna a Naxos cantata:
Aria ‘Dove sei’ String Quartet in B flat major, Op 64 No 3 Mass
in C major Missa in tempore belli ‘Paukenmesse’ Symphony No 100
in G major ‘Military’ (2nd movement) Piano Trio No 39 in G major
‘Gypsy Rondo’ Die Schöpfung, Part 2: Mass in D minor ‘Nelson
Mass’ Trumpet Concerto in E flat major: movt I Allegro Symphony
No 104 in D major ‘London’: movt IV Finale: Spiritoso Mass in B
flat major ‘Schöpfungsmesse’: Kyrie and Gloria


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Eleri Llian Rees for BBC
Wales


For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Joseph Haydn
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00045nb


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z