Haydn Happening

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was already a legendary composer during his lifetime and his music was on concert programmes all across Europe and America. Although he was aware of his genius, for many decades he was happy to hold the less impressive position of 'Kapellmeister' for the Hungarian Esterházy family. It was only towards the end of his life that he went to England and reaped his major successes. The young Haydn sang for many years as boy soprano in the boarding school at the Viennese Stephansdom. After his training he waited ten years, earning a meagre salary as a music copyist and teacher. It was only after taking up his position as 'Kapellmeister' at the court of the Esterházy's that he had the chance to freely experiment and compose. The result was the production of a very large body of work ranging from symphonies to concertos, operas, oratorios, masses, string quartets, trios and sonatas of all kinds, and fifty or more songs. Perhaps the figure of Haydn himself doesn't appeal to the imagination, but his music certainly does. A one-day event of course only gives a fragmented view of his oeuvre. The repertoire for this event is simply glorious, however, with interpretations on old and modern instruments offering a more than arresting confrontation. This day is undoubtedly a compelling tribute to the great art of Haydn. As far as the start of this musical feast is concerned, the choice is entirely up to you. You might opt to start your day in study, together with the famous masters of the lecture recital, the Altenberg Trio Wien, or wake up with the wind players of I Solisti del Vento. In the afternoon, you can hear one of Haydn's London symphonies played by a clearly surprising list of performers: Philippe Herreweghe conducts deOrkestacademie, a symphonic orchestra comprising students from Antwerp Conservatory and members of the deFilharmonie, one of the showpieces of our arts campus. To end the programme, there is a beautiful intimate setting of 'Die Sieben letzten Worte' by the Quatuor Terpsychordes. Yet more young supertalent follows in the form of the Teuscher-Ruf Lieder duo. Songs by Haydn are part of their stock repertoire, which makes these artists exceptional. Later, with top pianist Alain Planès, you can drink in 'Papa' Haydn's exercises in perfection. Then you'll be ready for the grand finale with Philippe Herreweghe, Collegium Vocale and deFilharmonie in 'Die Jahreszeiten'. 'From beginning to end, the listener is overcome with feelings because the piece is tender yet shocking, folkloric but artistic, simple but sublime', as the critic in the Viennese Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung wrote after the premiere of the 'Jarhreszeiten' on 24 April 1801.