Joseph Haydn

Donald Macleod explores the prolific life of Joseph Haydn, with a spotlight on his masses

Joseph Haydn’s prodigious creativity earned him the titles Father of the Symphony and Father of the String Quartet. However, he was also occupied with sacred music throughout his career. This week, as Donald Macleod follows Haydn’s journey from humble choirboy to Europe’s most celebrated composer, he shines the spotlight on music from Haydn’s many settings of the Mass. It's music that is as chock-full of invention and character as any of the instrumental forms he made his own.

In this week’s episode Donald illustrates Haydn’s generosity and sense of humour, the obstacles thrown into Haydn’s path throughout his career, the importance he placed on religion, and the effect war and turmoil had on his music. Also, the extraordinary story of how Haydn lost his head.

Music featured: Mass in B flat major ‘Harmoniemesse’ Symphony No 94 in G major ‘Surprise’ (Andante) Mass in B flat major ‘Theresienmesse’ String Quartet in B minor, Op 64 No 2 Organ Concerto in C major Piano Trio No 17 in F major Mass in G major ‘Missa Sancti Nicolai’: Agnus Dei Stabat Mater: Sancta Mater Mass in F major ‘Missa brevis a due soprani’ Arianna a Naxos cantata: Aria ‘Dove sei’ String Quartet in B flat major, Op 64 No 3 Mass in C major Missa in tempore belli ‘Paukenmesse’ Symphony No 100 in G major ‘Military’ (2nd movement) Piano Trio No 39 in G major ‘Gypsy Rondo’ Die Schöpfung, Part 2: Mass in D minor ‘Nelson Mass’ Trumpet Concerto in E flat major: movt I Allegro Symphony No 104 in D major ‘London’: movt IV Finale: Spiritoso Mass in B flat major ‘Schöpfungsmesse’: Kyrie and Gloria

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Eleri Llian Rees for BBC Wales

For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Joseph Haydn https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00045nb

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z