The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1983 (10. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1983-02-01 / 2. szám
February, 1983 THE EIGHTH HUNGARIAN TRIBE Page 7 Kismárton and the Esterházy Estate. yearly pay was approximately 50 forints at that time, we can then realize how well thé prince appreciated the new musical artist and the importance he attached to it. Haydn felt at home in the Esterházy Castle and evidently it did not seem to bother him that he was just the assistant conductor of the orchestra. When the prince died in 1761, his heir — Michael (Miklós) not only extended his contract hut enlarged the orchestra from 16 to 30. When the new Esterházy was installed in Kismárton, Haydn had his premier as a composer. For the occasion he wrote 3 musical comedies (the term operetta was not in vogue at the time) and 3 symphonies entitled: Morning — Afternoon and Evening. In 1766 Joseph Gergely, the head conductor, died. Haydn took over the exalted job at age of 34. Two years later a new castle for the Esterházy realm was opened and the tiny community of Esterháza was placed on European maps. Today it is called Fertőd (after the lake along which it lies). The musical hall of the Fertőd castle could accomodate 700 people, not counting the place for the orchestra. Esterháza soon became one of the greatest cultural centers in Hungary. The first Shakespeare play was performed here, but in the German language. When Miklós Esterházy died in 1790, the the shining hours of the Esterházy realm ended. His heir Antal dismissed the orchestra, for he was not a music lover. Although Haydn was recipient of a 1,000 forints per year salary, as willed by Miklós Esterházy, Antal on his own raised it to 1,400 forints and sent Haydn on an extended vacation. Haydn was 58 at the time; moved back to Vienna. And thus ended his “Hungarian” life as many of his biographers called this period of Joseph Haydn’s life. Haydn died on May 31, 1809 in Vienna, was buried in Kismárton. In 1932 on the 200th anniversary of his birth an Esterházy heir built the Haydn Mausoleum. In 1945 the Russian Army absconded with the furniture and burned the Esterházy Castle in Fertőd. Every moveable item disappeared. In 1959 Hungary restored what was left of the Esterházy Castle and surrounding acres. For tourist purposes they now hold Haydn concerts at the old Esterháza where Haydn had lived and composed. Haydn composed all his main works in Esterháza with the exception of his Masses in Budapest (1800) and the London symphonies, in London. The majority of his compositions were premiered in Esterháza. There are quite a few Hungarian elements in his music. Zoltán Kodály studied the Haydn compositions and found Hungarian folk elements in his music even when the term “all’ ongarese” was not noted on the composition. There is no doubt that Haydn heard lots of “peasant” or folk music in his travels throughout Hungary. The accounts relating the Esterháza music festivities, indicate that there were many open-air stage presentations of Hungarian dances. Others have studied his music as well. The Austrians say the folk elements are Austrian; the Croatian researchers say it is Croation. Some one even found “turkish” elements in the music. Of course, when Haydn indicated “all’ ongarese” there was no doubt about the musical source. Next time you hear a work by Joseph Haydn, listen closely, for you may find the Hungarian touch. Dr. Victor W. Molnár
