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Joseph Haydn: His Life and Works
Read by the author with David Timson. Runtime: 4. 63 hours, 4 library CDs
4 pages, Audio CD
First published December 1, 2003
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45 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Siepmann
44 books15 followersJeremy Siepmann (16 January 1942 – 6 April 2016), born in America and living in Britain for most of his career, was a broadcaster and writer on music.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 7, 2025
Educational, uplifting and immensely entertaining!
Jeremy Siepmann and Naxos Records have created a truly winning recipe with their LIFE AND WORKS series. The combination of an audio book with music is an extraordinarily powerful and compelling way of bringing the biography of a classical musician to life and, at the same time, making the music accessible to a wide audience who may never have had the privilege of listening to some of the greatest music ever written.
In Josef Haydn, we are treated to the story of a modest unassuming man, born of modest parents (his father worked as a wheelwright). As an employee of the Esterhazy family (one might almost argue that his work contract made him an indentured servant), he lived a quiet, modest life with modest means. Even after he had become famous across Europe and was arguably the wealthiest musician on the continent, he was generous to a fault with both his time and his resources.
Unlike his successors, Mozart and Beethoven, he was not ruthlessly exploited by his parents. His marriage was unhappy almost from its inception and, while he craved the stability of a happy family life with children, he was forced to make do with a series of what one can best characterize as monogamous affairs. His astonishing success as a musician can be attributed to relentless, unstinting hard work and self-improvement through lifelong study and continuing education of the art of music, composition and theory. He was an accomplished singer and could play virtually any instrument at a level that would comfortably place him among the ranks of a symphonic orchestra.
Haydn's religious faith was unshakeable and, indeed, much of his music, whether religious or secular, was specifically dedicated to the glory of a God who Haydn saw as responsible for his success, for all the beauty he saw around him and for any beauty he was lucky enough to create in his music.
In short, while his life was rather uneventful, placid and not particularly exciting, his music was certainly the opposite. Whether it was a piano trio, a sonata, a string quartet - contrary to common belief, Haydn did not create the string quartet as a style of music but he certainly revolutionized it almost beyond recognition from any previous form in which it may have existed - a symphony, an opera, a mass or a piece of secular music that might be sung around the fire or in a local public house, Haydn's astonishing musical output marks him as one of the greatest composers who ever lived.
Another wonderful success in the Naxos series that brings the classical composers and an overview of their wonderful music to the ears of a grateful audience. I continue to look forward to further entries in this fabulous series. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
Jeremy Siepmann and Naxos Records have created a truly winning recipe with their LIFE AND WORKS series. The combination of an audio book with music is an extraordinarily powerful and compelling way of bringing the biography of a classical musician to life and, at the same time, making the music accessible to a wide audience who may never have had the privilege of listening to some of the greatest music ever written.
In Josef Haydn, we are treated to the story of a modest unassuming man, born of modest parents (his father worked as a wheelwright). As an employee of the Esterhazy family (one might almost argue that his work contract made him an indentured servant), he lived a quiet, modest life with modest means. Even after he had become famous across Europe and was arguably the wealthiest musician on the continent, he was generous to a fault with both his time and his resources.
Unlike his successors, Mozart and Beethoven, he was not ruthlessly exploited by his parents. His marriage was unhappy almost from its inception and, while he craved the stability of a happy family life with children, he was forced to make do with a series of what one can best characterize as monogamous affairs. His astonishing success as a musician can be attributed to relentless, unstinting hard work and self-improvement through lifelong study and continuing education of the art of music, composition and theory. He was an accomplished singer and could play virtually any instrument at a level that would comfortably place him among the ranks of a symphonic orchestra.
Haydn's religious faith was unshakeable and, indeed, much of his music, whether religious or secular, was specifically dedicated to the glory of a God who Haydn saw as responsible for his success, for all the beauty he saw around him and for any beauty he was lucky enough to create in his music.
In short, while his life was rather uneventful, placid and not particularly exciting, his music was certainly the opposite. Whether it was a piano trio, a sonata, a string quartet - contrary to common belief, Haydn did not create the string quartet as a style of music but he certainly revolutionized it almost beyond recognition from any previous form in which it may have existed - a symphony, an opera, a mass or a piece of secular music that might be sung around the fire or in a local public house, Haydn's astonishing musical output marks him as one of the greatest composers who ever lived.
Another wonderful success in the Naxos series that brings the classical composers and an overview of their wonderful music to the ears of a grateful audience. I continue to look forward to further entries in this fabulous series. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
October 28, 2014
This is a great series and you might be able to get it for free from your library (if they use Overdrive). It's biography mixed with music. And you get to find out what happened to Haydn's skull after he died.
May 14, 2025
“Papa” Haydn as he was called in his later years had a remarkable and impressive life. These audio books highlight his music and his life and showcases this classical genius in the best possible way. I loved it.
June 16, 2018
Another great musical biography with excellent narration.
October 10, 2016
Wonderful audio biography interspersed with musical compositions of Haydn.
August 11, 2023
The audio edition of this book that I listened to said it was made in 2014. Two of the best things about listening to this book was the narrators who I thought did a great job. And I also liked that I got to hear some of his music. And I also liked that the book was only over 4 hours so I could listen to it quickly.
One thing that surprised me to learn was that people passed there work of as Haydn's. So now there are works that are know to be his and works that are questionable. I never would have thought that people would have tried to done such a thing.
I thought the book was OK. I learned about his wife, women he liked, fires destroyed some of his work, who he worked for, his trip to England. Before listening to this book I knew nothing about Joseph Haydn. Now at least I know a little about him.
One thing that surprised me to learn was that people passed there work of as Haydn's. So now there are works that are know to be his and works that are questionable. I never would have thought that people would have tried to done such a thing.
I thought the book was OK. I learned about his wife, women he liked, fires destroyed some of his work, who he worked for, his trip to England. Before listening to this book I knew nothing about Joseph Haydn. Now at least I know a little about him.
July 25, 2021
Audio. Biography with bits of Haydn's music.
March 24, 2011
Simply one of the best audiobook experiences I've ever had.
An entertaining and accessible account of a great artist's life interspersed with musical samples of his work.
Highly recommend!
An entertaining and accessible account of a great artist's life interspersed with musical samples of his work.
Highly recommend!
August 15, 2013
love it :)
May 2, 2016
short, non interesting, not detailed enough and laden with what everyone should already know about Haydn.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews