The son of an 18th century Austrian wheelwright, Haydn is acknowledged for refining the symphony and string quartet and praised for his oratorios and masses. Deeply involved in the evolution of the Classical style, its subsequent growth can be seen in his own music. Indeed, he is considered to be one of the most significant composers of the Classical Period. Under his care the symphony and string quartet came to life, and the oratios and masses of his late years belong to the consummation of the classical spirit in music. This biography of Joseph Haydn is one in a new series of composer biographies, derived and adapted from the second edition of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians . These newly written biographies bring the best of the book-length pieces in The New Grove to a wider audience. Each title provides fresh new insights into the life and works of a major composer, derived from the most recent scholarship. In addition to a detailed and informative view of the subject's life and works, written by an expert in the field, each book includes comprehensive, tabular work-lists and a fully revised and updated bibliography.

James Webster is Goldwin Smith Professor of Music at Cornell University. He has written on many aspects of Haydn's works as well as on Beethoven's chamber music, Schubert, opera buffa, and Brahms. His writings include Haydn's 'Farewell' and the Idea of Classical Style (1991). Georg Feder was director of the Joseph-Haydn-Institute in Cologne from 1960 until his retirement in 1990.