Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was an Austrian composer of the German Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the piano trio. He has been called the Father of the Symphony and the Father of the String Quartet.
Though Haydn spent much of his career on the estate of a wealthy family his music circulated and during his life he was the most celebrated composer in Europe. Haydn was a friend and mentor of Mozart, a tutor of Beethoven.
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