Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) was a prominent Austrian composer of the Classical era, renowned for developing the symphony and string quartet forms. His music features clarity, balance, and innovative structures, influencing many later composers like Mozart and Beethoven. Haydn worked for many years as a court musician for the Esterházy family, producing a vast body of work that includes over 100 symphonies, countless chamber pieces, and choral works. His inventive melodies and mastery of form earned him the nickname "Father of the Symphony." His contributions significantly shaped Western classical music and laid the foundation for the Romantic period.