Austrian composer Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) is generally considered the “Father of the Symphony,” but he also made significant contributions to the development of chamber music. A musically gifted child, Haydn began his training as a chorister at the age of five. While singing in the choir of Vienna’s Stephansdom, he also learned to play several instruments and studied composition. After struggling to make a living as a freelance musician for about ten years, Haydn was offered the position of deputy music director at the Esterházy court in 1761 and became its music director five years later. A very wealthy and influential Hungarian aristocratic family, the Esterházys greatly appreciated and promoted Haydn’s work and music and even provided him with his own orchestra. He spent most of his career, from 1761 to 1790, in their service.

Featured here is the first movement (Allegro) from Haydn’s Symphony no. 48, composed around 1769. In the nineteenth century it was given the nickname “Maria Theresa” based on a claim that it was performed when the empress visited Esterház Castle. However, recent research has shown that it was most likely Haydn’s later Symphony no. 50 that was performed on that occasion.