Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - Reproduktion eines anonymen Schattenrisses

Joseph Haydn, the oldest of the three composers known as the "Vienna Klassiker" (Vienna Classics) was considered one of the most important composers at the time when Beethoven was an adolescent. On the way to a trip to England, Haydn visited Bonn in 1790 and 1792 and met the young Ludwig van Beethoven. Shortly afterwards, Beethoven relocated to Vienna to become one of Haydn"s students. His education lasted from late autumn of 1792 until early 1794 when Haydn left for England again.

After Haydn"s return, the relationship between the two men slightly worsened. Despite Haydn"s positive remarks about Beethoven"s trios for piano, violin and violoncello, later published as op. 1, and about the composer"s ingeniousness, he criticised his student"s oddity and even advised Beethoven against publishing one of the trios. When the pieces proved rather successful after their publication, Haydn changed his opinion. He admitted he had not expected such as positive reaction.

Obviously, Beethoven did not bear a grudge and dedicated his three piano sonatas, op. 2 to Haydn in 1796. Even years later he was still connected with Haydn. On the occasion of a performance of Haydn"s oratorio "Die Schöpfung " (The Creation) in 1808, Beethoven showed great admiration for the master"s art of composition.