No composer has ever achieved the amazing artistic progression that Haydn has. He invented the string quartet as we know it, became known as 'the Father of the Symphony', and mentored the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His creative life was one of ceaseless experimentation and invention.
Author David Hurwitz shows readers how to more fully enjoy Haydn's music, acquainting them with the master's innovative melodic creativity, revolutionary use of musical form, and important characteristics of his personal style, such as his genius for writing in minor keys and creating comedy in his music. Hurwitz explores Haydn's vocal music and instrumental masterpieces that fall outside the mainstream, as well as his principle instrumental works.
A special chapter of letters and quotations by the composer himself introduces the reader to Haydn, the man. Four appendices list all of his symphonies, string quartets, Piano sonatas, and Piano trios, and specify their distinguishing characteristics. Two accompanying Naxos CDs provide more than two and a half hours of beautiful music keyed to pieces described in the book.