Franz Joseph Haydn

(1732-1809)

Franz Joseph Haydn

Haydn was the first great master of the classical piano sonata. He was given instruction in keyboard playing, singing, violin playing, and composition
from the time he was a small child. He sang in the Vienna Boys Choir for a few years at St. Stephen’s Cathedral. But when his voice changed, he was forced
to earn his own living in Vienna by teaching piano, accompanying, and playing his violin in orchestras.

When he was 29, he was hired by Prince Esterhazy to become the court composer, pianist, and chief musician. He had a very successful 30 year career at the Esterhazy court and produced hundreds of fine compositions. He eventually composed about 60 piano works that today we call piano sonatas. They were originally called Divertimenti or Partitas, but today all these multi-movement pieces are called sonatas. Many of them were written for teaching at the Esterhazy court and so they are perfect pieces today for students starting to learn classical piano sonata form. Mozart was a great admirer of Haydn and Beethoven actually studied with Haydn. He was known throughout Europe as Papa Haydn.

Sonotas

Sonata 1 in C major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 2 in B-flat major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 3 in C major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 4 in D major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]

Sonata 5 in A major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 7 in C major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 8 in G major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]
  4. Forth Movement [download]

Sonata 9 in F major

1. First Movement [download]
2. Second Movement [download]
3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 10 in C major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 13 in E major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 14 in D major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 19 in D major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 21 in C major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 37 in D major

- 1. First Movement [download]
  2. Second Movement [download]
  3. Third Movement [download]

Sonata 45 in E-flat major

1. First Movement [download]
2. Second Movement [download]
3. Third Movement [download]