Haydn

[Mandryka]

To my ears, Haydn's music, although far from unpleasant, has always seemed overcerebral: it fails to enage my emotions.

Haydn afficionados tell me that this is quite in order: Haydn appeals to one's 'sense of form' (whatever that is) and intellect. I have also been told (rather peevishly, on an old BAL) that Haydn 'will never appeal to the intellectually lazy'.

I can't think of a single memorable melody that J.H. ever wrote, though I've heard all his London symphonies, as well as the 'named' symphonies.

Would it be fair to say that Haydn is easier to admire than he is to love?

I fear, even more than Mozart, he is another composer I am fated never to 'get'.

[rauschwerk]

I can't think of a single memorable melody that J.H. ever wrote, though I've heard all his London symphonies, as well as the 'named' symphonies.

You amaze me. I can think of dozens of Haydn's melodies with no difficulty! I have loved his music since my teenage years, and have tried over the years to deepen my understanding. I would never accuse anyone who fails to appreciate Haydn's music as intellectually lazy! One is surely entitled to one's opinion, even of a great masterpiece.

[french frank]

Would it be fair to say that Haydn is easier to admire than he is to love?

No

I can't think of a single memorable melody that J.H. ever wrote

What about that little ditty in the Emperor string quartet, Op 76/3 (2nd movt)?

[amateur51]

No

What about that little ditty in the Emperor string quartet, Op 76/3 (2nd movt)?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Zs24NJgfI

[Mandryka]

No

What about that little ditty in the Emperor string quartet, Op 76/3 (2nd movt)?

Would that be the one that became the German national anthem? If so, I'm familiar with it, though I can't claim even that is all that memorable.....it sticks in the mind because of its associations, I'd say, and because you hear it so often.

[Mandryka]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Zs24NJgfI

Ah, I see! Thanks for the link.

I seem to recall Noel Annan choosing this on DID many years ago.

[EdgeleyRob]

I can't think of a single memorable melody that J.H. ever wrote

I guarantee you wont be able to get these tunes out of your head for days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByU3P3zFOQU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUIXHW1vEOc&feature=related

[gurnemanz]

..and of course he wrote "Two Lovely Black Eyes"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IRxAMJaW5w&feature=related

[perfect wagnerite]

I can't think of a single memorable melody that J.H. ever wrote, though I've heard all his London symphonies, as well as the 'named' symphonies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb8ebeVx76w&feature=related

[LMcD]

Only now - well into my 8th decade - am I starting to appreciate just how life-affirming Haydn's music can be. Better late than never, I suppose.

[LMcD]

For people who - like me - quite like that sort of thing , the final item on today's 'Breakfast' was the last movement of Symphony No. 104 in which the celebrated conductor Sir Colin Davis conducted the equally celebrated Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam - a youthful, joyous performance guaranteed to set me up for the day!

[cloughie]

To my ears, Haydn's music, although far from unpleasant, has always seemed overcerebral: it fails to enage my emotions.

Haydn afficionados tell me that this is quite in order: Haydn appeals to one's 'sense of form' (whatever that is) and intellect. I have also been told (rather peevishly, on an old BAL) that Haydn 'will never appeal to the intellectually lazy'.
I can't think of a single memorable melody that J.H. ever wrote, though I've heard all his London symphonies, as well as the 'named' symphonies.

Would it be fair to say that Haydn is easier to admire than he is to love?

I fear, even more than Mozart, he is another composer I am fated never to 'get'.

Well that was almost 10 years ago moving the ‘Clock’ forward it would be a ‘Surprise’ if you could still claim this!

[AuntDaisy]

What about that little ditty in the Emperor string quartet, Op 76/3 (2nd movt)?

Is that "German German Overalls" as Michael Flanders so eloquently puts it?

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Is that "German German Overalls" as Michael Flanders so eloquently puts it?

As few football commentators ever said: "Germany are all over the place".

[Richard Barrett]

Well that was almost 10 years ago moving the ‘Clock’ forward it would be a ‘Surprise’ if you could still claim this!

Bear in mind that the Mandryka who started this thread isn't the Mandryka who is a current contributor!