Haydn

Joseph Haydn was an influential Austrian composer of the Classical period, active in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Known as the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet," he helped shape the structure and style of Western classical music. Haydn's compositions are characterized by their clarity, balanced form, and inventive use of instruments. His work greatly influenced later composers like Mozart and Beethoven. He spent much of his career as a court musician for the Esterházy family, creating a vast body of music that remains foundational in the Western classical tradition.