12 Tremendous Composers 12 Composers    

Lesson 9: Symphony No.104 in D major, 'London Symphony'

by Franz Joseph Haydn

Performer: Das Orchester Tsumugi

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Listen to the music daily.
• Read the synopsis.
• Review the vocabulary terms.
• Read about the composer.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Franz Joseph Haydn composed his final symphony in 1795 while living in London. This work is the final of his twelve 'London Symphonies,' entitled Symphony No.104 in D major, 'London Symphony.' This work premiered in London at the King's Theatre and was a success. This work incorporates two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings.

Vocabulary

Symphony: An extended piece of music of sophisticated structure, usually for orchestra.
Clorister: One belonging to, or living in, a cloister, a monastery or convent, devoted to religious seclusion.

Composer

1. For many years Franz Joseph Haydn remained in the peace and quiet of the Esterhazy family life. But nevertheless, his good work was heard of in distant places. He received many invitations to travel to foreign countries. One of these he accepted. He went to England; twice in fact. The night before he left Vienna he and Mozart dined together. This is Wolfgang Mozart.

2. 'Do not go on such a long journey,' Mozart begged of him. 'You are too old and you do not know languages enough to travel through so many countries.' 'But,' said Haydn, 'I know one language that is understood everywhere—the language of music.' Mozart said farewell to his old friend. They never met again.
3. On the way north, along the Rhine, Franz Joseph Haydn met Beethoven at Bonn; and it was arranged that Beethoven should study with Haydn on his return to Vienna. This is Beethoven.

4. When Franz Joseph Haydn reached Calais, he took the boat to Dover in England. He was so enchanted by the sight of the sea that he sat on deck all the way, to watch it. Never before had he seen such a sight, for, we must remember, he was born far inland.

5. Most men do their best work in their younger years, but in Franz Joseph Haydn's later years he wrote two of his greatest works: The Creation and The Seasons. The Creation is loved by all people. It is one of a group of favorite oratorios which have found a warm place in the hearts of the people. With it stand The Messiah, Judas Maccabaeus, St. Paul and Elijah. Do you know who composed each of these?
6. After the English journeys, Franz Joseph Haydn lived quietly in Vienna in what is now known as the Haydn house. Should you ever go to Vienna you will be welcomed there by the caretaker, who will show you the rooms in which Haydn lived.

7. Franz Joseph Haydn composed his final symphony in 1795 while living in London. This was performed to great success at the King's Theatre in London. See a drawing of theater here.

8. One day, toward the end of his life, Franz Joseph Haydn asked his servant to carry him to the piano. While the members of his household stood near him, he played three times, very solemnly, the Emperor's Song.

9. This is the way Franz Joseph Haydn wrote his name—

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Composition Information

• Recite the name of the composer and the composition.

Activity 2: Study the Music Timeline

Examine the music timeline to answer the following questions.

• What is the year of birth of the lesson composer?
• What is the year of death of the featured composer?
• How old was the composer upon death?
• Which composer (if any) directly precedes the studied composer by date of birth?
• Which composer (if any) directly succeeds the lesson composer by date of birth?
• Which other timeline composers were alive at the same time as the studied composer?

Activity 3: Map the Music

• Franz Joseph Haydn entered St. Stephen's in Vienna as a clorister.
• Find Vienna, capital of Austria, on the map of Europe.
• Recite aloud the eight countries that border Austria.
• Don't forget tiny Liechtenstein (Labeled 'LIECH' between Switzerland and Austria).

Activity 4: Read Aloud Your Paper About Franz Joseph Haydn

• Read your one-page story about Franz Joseph Haydn to your family.
• Make any corrections, as needed, after reading the paper aloud.

Review

Question 1

In which year was Franz Joseph Haydn born and in which year did he die?

1 / 4

Answer 1

Franz Joseph Haydn was born in 1732 and died in 1809, at seventy-seven years of age.

1 / 4

Question 2

What great composer was Franz Joseph Haydn's pupil for a time in Vienna?

2 / 4

Answer 2

Beethoven was Franz Joseph Haydn's pupil for a time in Vienna.

2 / 4

Question 3

Why did Mozart think that Franz Joseph Haydn should not travel through so many strange countries?

3 / 4

Answer 3

Mozart believed Haydn too old and lacking knowledge of foreign languages for travel.

3 / 4

Question 4

Which two great works did Franz Joseph Haydn write after he returned from England?

4 / 4

Answer 4

In Franz Joseph Haydn's later years he wrote two of his greatest works: The Creation and The Seasons.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. In which year was Franz Joseph Haydn born and in which year did he die? Franz Joseph Haydn was born in 1732 and died in 1809, at seventy-seven years of age.
2. What great composer was Franz Joseph Haydn's pupil for a time in Vienna? Beethoven was Franz Joseph Haydn's pupil for a time in Vienna.
3. Why did Mozart think that Franz Joseph Haydn should not travel through so many strange countries? Mozart believed Haydn too old and lacking knowledge of foreign languages for travel.
4. Which two great works did Franz Joseph Haydn write after he returned from England? In Franz Joseph Haydn's later years he wrote two of his greatest works: The Creation and The Seasons.

References

Tapper, Thomas. Franz Joseph Haydn - The Story of the Choir Boy Who Became a Great Composer. Philadelphia, PA. Theodore Presser Co., 1917.

'Haydn Symphony No.104 in D major, 'London' Hob.I:104.' Musopen.org. musopen.org/music/5440-symphony-no104-in-d-major-london-hobi104/. n.p.