Haydn’s Symphony No. 87 in A Major: Festive Music for Paris
For nearly 30 years, beginning in 1761, Franz Joseph Haydn was employed as kapellmeister at the Esterházy court. Now dubbed the “father of the symphony” as well as the string quartet, the innovative Haydn worked in the splendid isolation of the Austrian aristocratic palace. In 1779, he renegotiated his contract to allow for the sale of his music to outside patrons. Widespread fame and prestigious international commissions ensued. In 1784, Haydn received …