Haydn as Student and Critic of Fux

Abstract

The student relationship of Haydn to Fux which is here suggested must be traced to the very beginning of Haydn’s career. When the eight-year-old Haydn entered the choir at St Stephen’s at the request of Karl Georg Reutter, court composer and choirmaster, Fux was still in charge of Imperial Court Music. Fux’s. Singfundamente served for the training of the choirboys. His Masses and Vespers formed the most important part of the choir’s repertory. The thematic catalogue appended to Koechel’s Fux biography (1872) includes a record of performance dates which were entered on the covers of the original part books. From this account we can gather an impressive choice of works which Haydn must have heard. ‘Ich hate aber auch das Schonste and Beste in alien Gattungen gehort, was es in meiner Zeit zu horen gab. Und dessen war damals in Wien viel! O wie viel.’ 1 The impact of the work and personality of the aged Kapellmeister must have been lasting.

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