Music for Listeners: Joseph Haydn

Joseph Haydn arose from humble beginnings to become one of the most important and influential composers in the history of Western classical music. He never forgot his rural roots, and examples of his love of folk music, his sense of humor, and his melodic inventiveness abound throughout his compositional oeuvre. He had a profound influence on Mozart and Beethoven and upon many later composers. Often called the “Father of the Symphony” (he composed 104 numbered symphonies) and the “Father of the String Quartet” (he composed 68 string quartets), Haydn also composed over 60 keyboard (piano/harpsichord) sonatas and many other works across a number of genres for a total of upwards of 750 works, thus earning him the distinction as one of the most prolific composers in history. Come join us as we listen to and discuss 36 of his most beautiful and inspiring works and explore the many facets of his life together! Join lifelong classical music enthusiast David Oesper for an in-depth chronological exploration of the life and music of Joseph Haydn, Saturdays June 6 through July 25, 2026 (with a break on July 4) from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. at the Donna R. Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave. in Tucson. This seven-week course is open to high school students and adults and will be taught from a listening enjoyment rather than a music theory perspective. Cost will be $30, payable at the first or second class. Class 1, June 6 1732-1772 From Rohrau to Hainburg to Vienna to Eisenstadt and Eszterháza Class 2, June 13 1772-1782 Growing Fame and Isolation at Eszterháza Class 3, June 20 1783-1788 Haydn and Mozart Class 4, June 27 1789-1792 First Residency in England Class 5, July 11 1792-1795 Second Residency in England Class 6, July 18 1795-1797 Haydn and Beethoven Class 7, July 25 1797-1809 Final Years in Vienna https://skythisweek.info/Music_for_Listeners_Joseph_Haydn.pdf