For all intents-and-purposes, Haydn did indeed “invent” what today we consider the genres of string quartet (of which he composed 68) and symphony (of which he composed at least 104!). They called him “Papa” not because he was “old” or “conservative” but because he was a good, kind, and fair-minded boss who made the needs of his musicians a top priority.īut more than just a good man, the short, hook-nosed, pock-marked, ever-smiling, ever-genial Haydn also turned out to be one of the most stunningly original and exquisitely talented composers to ever grace our planet. It was while working for the Esterházys and still in his thirties that Haydn was given the nickname of “Papa” by the grateful musicians who worked for him. He remained the Esterházy Kapellmeister until 1790. Warner died in 1766, at which point Haydn was promoted to the top spot, Kapellmeister. Assistant or no, Haydn directed most of the musical activities for the court, as the elderly Kapellmeister Gregor Warner was responsible only for the court’s church music. His position was that of Vice-Kapellmeister – assistant music director – of the Esterhazy musical establishment. He slowly climbed the Viennese musical ladder and in 1761 – at the age of 29 – took up a position with the Esterházy family, a fabulously wealthy family of Hungarian nobles.

Franz joseph haydn facts