Classical Music / Composers
Wolfgang A. Mozart always said that he had learned how to write string quartets from Joseph Haydn. He found in his older friend's work a strict sense of organisation. Mozart's scores, on the other hand, are notable for the number and variety of their themes: Haydn taught him economy. Of course, the two shared a common musical language and a great respect for each other and admiration for each other's work.
Haydn's opinion of Mozart is summed up admirably in a letter first
published in 1798, in which Haydn wrote, ''. . . scarcely any man can
brook comparison with the great Mozart. . . If I could only impress on
the soul of every friend of music, and on high personages in particular,
how inimitable are Mozart's works, how profound, how musically
intelligent, how extraordinarily sensitive! (for this is how I
understand them, how I feel them) - why then the nations would vie with
each other to possess such a jewel within their frontiers.''
Article links:
MUSIC; WHAT HAYDN TAUGHT MOZART by H.C. Robbins Landon. New York Times (Archive, August 14, 1988). Article accessed online, March 31, 2008. - H.C. Robbins Landon, American musicologist, journalist, historian and broadcaster, best
known for his work in rediscovering the huge body of neglected music by
Haydn and in correcting misunderstandings about Mozart. known for his trailblazing work on Haydn and his books on Mozart. Among Mozart lovers and enthusiasts, Landon is famous for his book The Mozart Compendium. (I acquired my own copy few years before Landon
passed away.) In general, he is known for his work in rediscovering
neglected music by Joseph Haydn and in correcting misunderstandings
about Mozart.
Related link:
Brief biography of Franz Joseph Haydn.
(c) March 2009. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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