JOSEPH HADYN

“FATHER OF SYMPHONY
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CRITICALLY
ACCLAIMED
“EMPEROR QUARTET
PRESENTATION CREATED BY JESSICA
THOMAS
MUSC1100
PROFESSOR WILBURN
4 OCTOBER 2022
EMPEROR QUARTET

• "Emperor Quartet" composed by Joseph Hadyn (1797)

• Musical form: Sonata form
• Performed by DSCH Schostakovich Ensemble (2010)
• Joseph Haydn
• String Quartet op 76, n. 3, in C major, “Emperor” I. Allegro
• Concert Mezzo Chanel

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vCHk9G3nC4
 DO YOU REMEMBER THE TIMES?

• Classical Era – 1750 -1830

• “Emperor's Quartet” also known as “Emperor’s Hymn” was written for the Austrian monarchy.

• It was completed in 1797.

• During this time, music and other art forms were under the patronage of the aristocracy.
• Musicians were not able to support themselves without sponsorship from a wealthy family.
• Because of this, sometimes creative expression was limited or stifled.
• Two new important genres during the classical period were Symphonies and String Quartets.
 A CLOSER LOOK AT THE STRING QUARTET

• The string quartet was among the most popular genres in this period

• Hadyn wrote 68 quartets

• String quartets consists of four movements:

• the first and last movement is in sonata form,
• the second movement is slow and uses a theme and variations form,
• a moderate-tempo third movement is like a minuet, moderately paced
• Sonota is broken down into three sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation

• As one of the greatest contributors to the genre of string quartet and symphony, Haydn is therefore given the honorary title, “Father of the Symphony”

• For more detailed information on String Quartets, review the following video:

• https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://study.com/academ y/lesson/what-is-a-string-quartet-definition-instruments-
arrangements.html&ved=2ahUKEwiG7P7Z0cr6AhVDQzABHUm6BkoQo7QBegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw0zmjr3QbNo3osQ6stEsAIX
THE MIGHTY FOUR: “EMPEROR QUARTET”
PERFORMING VOICES
• Genre: String Quartet
• Performing Voices:
• cello
• two violins
• viola
LISTENING GUIDE (1/4)

PERFORMING VOICES, MELODY,

TIMING TEXTURE
• 0:00 • The first movement is in Sonota form.The players began in a
monophonic texture, and play together in harmony.The range
is conjunct and variation in pitch mild. This establishes the first
• 0:30 theme A

• After a brief pause they introduce a slightly altered melody,

theme B
• 0:40
• Introduces theme C and then it repeats to one of the previous
melodies introduced in the exposition, texture moves towards
homophony and engages in polyrhythmic notes, utilizing
crescendos and decrescendos to create a fluctuating sound
LISTENING GUIDE CONTINUED (2/4)

PERFORMING VOICES, MELODY,

TIMING TEXTURE
• 1:00 • The tempo increases. The pitch ascends the scale
and crescendos.
• 2:20
• The tempo slows down. A variation of theme A is
played. This marks the second movement.
LISTENING GUIDE CONTINUED (3/4)

PERFORMING VOICES, MELODY,

TIMING TEXTURE
• 3:00 • The tempo and dynamics fluctuate. At
times they are joined together in
homophony before breaking off again
into polyphonic rhythm whose melodies
continue to overlap and become
complex, followed by a smooth return to
a calmer and slower melody.
LISTENING GUIDE CONTINUED (4/4)

PERFORMING VOICES, MELODY,

TIMING TEXTURE
• The third movement is introduced. The tempo is at an even pace
• 4:11 with fewer sporadic temp increases, or changes to the rhythm.
• 5:03 • There is brief dissonance before the tempo increases again.

• 6:07 • The final movement is introduced.

• 6:27 • The final movement’s recapitulation is introduced. The tempo

quickens again and the musicians return to the original themes, but
with slight variation. The song ends in a fast tempo, but the melody
is from the exposition stage, possibly theme A performed at a faster
pace.
REFLECTIONS ON HAYDN’S LIFE

• Hadyn came from a musical family that encouraged him to pursue and develop his talent.
• His skill allowed him to maintain sponsorship throughout his career, and he was given many
great opportunities to compose for honored and wealthy nobilemen.
• Besides having a troubled marriage, Hadyn did not seem to have a hard or complicated life.
His work was praised amongst contemporaries of his day and throughout the centuries later.

• Perhaps Haydn’s good fortune and favor among his patrons allowed him great creative
freedom to compose as he saw fit. It does not seem like his work was ever stifled or limited,
nor did any need for financial support hinder his ability to compose and publish pieces
 FUN FACT ABOUT EMPEROR’S QUARTET

• Provides the melody for both Austria and Germany’s national anthems
• Austria’s National Anthem https://youtu.be/AQfp888IRpo
• Germany’s National Anthem https://youtu.be/cIff7EB7pv
IMAGES
CONCLUSION

“Emperor Quartet” is not only a greatly celebrated string quartet, but it served as gift to the Austrian monarchy, a
show of national pride, Joseph Hayden being Austrian himself.The honor has never been forgotten or taken lightly
as it is incorporated in both Austria’ and Germany’s national anthems.
The String Quartet was a popular genre of the Classical Period. It’s complexity in composition highlights the
intelligence and musical prowess of it’s successful composers.
Joseph Haydn is nicknamed “Father of Symphony” and was an inspiration for Mozart and Beethoven.
Overall, I am impressed with the the genre of string quartet and I can understand why it was such a popular
chamber music ensemble in it’s day. I enjoyed watching the performers play. They played with seriousness and
made facial expressions and bodily movements that flowed with the rhythm and tempo of the complex harmonies
they were creating. One can recognize that there is a great level of intelligence involved in mastering these
melodies, let alone creating them. Joseph Haydn demonstrated a unique apt for pleasant and entertaining
compositions that had awarded fame throughout many generations.
REFERENCES

• “Emperor Quartet.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Emperor-Quartet.
• “Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers.” Study.com | Take
Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers,
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-string-quartet-definition-instruments-arrangements.html.
• Clark, Alan, et al. Understanding Music: Past and Present. University of North Georgia Press, 2015.
• Mozart, Wolfgang, director. Land Der Berge, Land Am Strom.YouTube, 17 July 2016,
https://youtu.be/AQfp888IRpo. Accessed 5 Oct. 2022.
• “Das Deustchlandlied.” YouTube, 2 Oct. 2011, https://youtu.be/cIff7EB7pvc. Accessed 5 Oct. 2022.