Haydn was an innovative artist and is regarded as the father of the symphony, string quartet and much of Austria’s classical music.
[Pictured: Haydn’s head]
He mixed with the likes of Mozart whom he mentored and who’s work he heavily influenced and he is considered by aficionados as close to perfect. His students included an up-and-coming composer called Beethoven.
His career started as a member of the famed Vienna Boys Choir where he featured as their star performer and ended 77 years later after being commissioned to the court of the Esterhazys for several years.
To commemorate his legacy, much of Austria will celebrate the life and music of Haydn with a year-long series of festivals throughout the country during 2009.
From the magnificent Theatre an der Wein to the Palace of Esterhazy in Eisenstadt, a beautiful city in Burgenland where Haydn spent most of his working life, concerts, performances and recitals will be staged all year.
The campaign, launched at ACTB (Austrian and Central European Travel Business) in Vienna targets music lovers the world over. Special tours have been created stretching across the countryside of Austria, including of course, Vienna, featuring the life and times of Haydn.
Haydn lovers can walk in the footsteps of the great master and see his birthplace, where he composed his Baroque works, which include the current day German national anthem, and where he lays to rest.
For more information on what’s available throughout 2009, visit www.austria.info or call the Austrian National Tourist Office in Sydney on 02-9299 3621 or by email on [email protected]
A TravelMole on location report from Austria and Central Europe by international travel writer Kevin Moloney.
