Photo: Andreas Hafenscher

Haydn explosiv. Musik aus revolutionären Zeiten

Eisenstadt, Burgenland

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Joseph Haydn worked as a court musician, Kapellmeister, and composer for the House of Esterházy from 1761 to 1803. Since 2009, a permanent exhibition in the Sala Terrena of the palace in Eisenstadt has been dedicated to this art-rich epoch.The exhibition "Haydn explosiv. Music from Revolutionary Times" presents the composer, who was an astonishing innovator in his time, in a refreshing setting. Historical autographs, printed music, paintings, graphics, and musical instruments combine with works by renowned contemporary artists to form a dazzling whole (Curator: Herbert Lachmayer). The floor is covered by a colorful carpet by Pop Art artist Roy Lichtenstein, the rooms are wallpapered wall-to-wall with works by Franz West, Verena Dengler, and Margit Nobis, sound installations entice around corners, and on one ceiling, a giant projection regularly seems to explode – in short: it is an impressive experience for the eyes and ears.The starting point is the life and work of Joseph Haydn at the Esterházy princely court, but it was also a life in Europe. The ideals of the European Enlightenment and the effects of the French Revolution were felt everywhere, and Haydn contributed with his means. As the inventor of the string quartet, renovator of the oratorio, and composer of the imperial anthem, Haydn profoundly influenced international music history on the one hand, and on the other hand, during his approximately 40 years of service at the Esterházy court, he also composed numerous operas, symphonies, Singspiele, and masses. Furthermore, he arranged works for performances at Eszterház Palace (Fertöd) and, as Kapellmeister, conducted more than 1000 performances. Through technically improved music printing and the rapid distribution activities of his publishers, he was able to achieve European "world renown" from Eisenstadt. Using multimedia stations and unique historical documents from the Esterházy collections, the exhibition Haydn explosiv describes a musical-cultural-historical arc from Haydn's early years at the Esterházy court to his acclaimed concerts in London, his late creative period, and up to solemnly celebrated anniversaries and reviews in the 20th and 21st centuries.