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One of the greatest talents of human culture was definitely Joseph Haydn, called by some the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet". Thanks to his good Austrian temper, humour and mental balance his music can be enjoyed without serious musical education as well. So, if you can afford, immediately stop reading my note and start listening to one of his charming symphonies. (Le soir or the Surprise for instance.) You certainly will not regret it!

Well, if you are back, some information: Joseph Haydn was born in Rohrau on 31st March 1732 and began his musical career as a choirboy at St. Stephen's Vienna. In 1759 he was appointed to direct the music of Earl Karl Joseph Franz Morzin in Pilsen and in May 1761 entered the service of the Esterházy family, one of the richest and most powerful family in the Habsburg Empire and one of the only two dynasties of prince rank in the Hungarian Kingdom, where he was active for almost forty years.
Even though his musical output covered all genres of the art, Haydn's fame chiefly came to rest on his instrumental music. His singular merits lie in the development of the modern sonata form, the establishment of the string-quartet style, and more especially the texture and profoundity he applied to symphonic writing (104 symphonies). "The Creation" (1798) and "The Seasons" (1801) testify further to Haydn's ingenuity as the founder of secular oratorio.
When the Principal Music Director, Gregor Joseph Werner, died in 1766, the post went to Haydn. This marked the beginning of a golden age of music and drama at Esterházy Court, its renown spreading far beyond the borders of the Habsburg Empire.

Joseph Haydn died in Vienna on 31st May 1809. The most celebrated composer of his day, he was laid to rest at Hundsthurm Cemetery in Vienna. At the instigation of Nikolaus II, Haydn's mortal remains were removed to Eisenstadt Bergkirche on 2nd November 1820.

The Haydn Hall
Originally the banquet hall, the Haydn Hall forms the centrepiece of Esterházy Palace. The very size of the hall and its interior décor testify to the political, commercial and cultural prestige enjoyed by the Esterházys. It now ranks among the world's most magnificent concert halls, not least on account of its fine acoustics, and takes it name from the celebrated composer Joseph Haydn who spent almost forty years in the service of the family. Many of his works were composed and premiered in Eisenstadt.
Forming part of the baroque structural phase (1663-1672) and occupying most of the north wing, the Haydn Hall was erected under Prince Paul I Esterházy according to the plans of the Italian architect Carlo Martino Carlone. It extends the height of three storeys with three windows arranged one upon another along the sidewalls overlooking the courtyard.
The unique frescoes in the Haydn Hall date back to the 17th century and are attributed to the Italian painter Carpoforo Tencalla of Bissone/Lake Garda. The splendid murals and ceiling paintings represent scenes from "Metamorphoses" by the Roman poet and philosopher Apuleius (200 AD). (When clicking on the map you will find the marker pointing on the wing whith the Haydn Hall.)