Joseph Haydn died in Vienna on May 31st, 1809 aged seventy-seven. The cultural elite of the city, the cradle of European classical music, was present two weeks later at his funeral where Mozart's Requiem was played. This exceptional man, who is often called the father of the string quartet and of the symphony, had, despite his modest origin, become, by his hard work, one of the favourite composers of the eighteenth century. The catalogue of Haydn's compositions, according to the classification of the Dutch musicologist Anthony von Hoboken (1887-1983), consists of 750 works including symphonies, chamber music, piano sonatas, concertos, choral pieces, operas, oratorios and masses. The four works present on this CD were composed between 1763 and 1784, a period when Haydn was in the service of the Ezterhazy family, one of the most respectable noble families of Europe in this epoch. Haydn joined that family in 1761, as assistant to music master Gregor Werner, who he then replaced at the latter's death in 1766. Prince Nikolaus, head of the family since the death of his brother Paul Anton in 1762, was a great art lover. He built the residence "Ezterhaza" near the border of Austria and Hungary, and Haydn spent most of his life there. This is one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe, and is often called the Hungarian Versailles. Haydn lived in a four room apartment, which was part of a large two-storey house designed for service staff. The prince was not interested in social events in the capital, preferring this isolated area, and this prevented Haydn from participating fully in the flourishing musical life of Vienna. He considered that this isolation, far from limiting his creativity, was a chance for his productivity and originality. Having an orchestra at his disposal allowed him a degree of experimentation that would be impossible elsewhere, and that without being disturbed by criticism. Prince Nikolaus, himself a good gamba player always supported and encouraged Haydn, who composed two hundred works in which the viola da gamba plays an important part. Haydn had many functions as a music master . He took care of the court's twenty piece orchestra, would conduct two concerts a week where his works were often performed, led all opera performances in the palace, was responsible for the family's music library, for selecting the musicians, copying music and managing conflicts, all of which he did with serenity, justice and authority. He was respected and loved by the musicians who called him "Papa." Under Haydn's direction this orchestra had become one of Europe's best, though it was still in the shadow of Manheim Symphony Orchestra, the best known of all, which was bigger, and described as an "army of generals". Haydn conducted from the keyboard or from the violin, as was usual at the time. Haydn's first keyboard works were composed for the harpsichord or for the organ, but thanks to the rapid evolution of instruments at that time, his later works are clearly written for the fortepiano, allowing a new dynamic playing. There are twelve piano concertos, referenced as Hoboken XVIII, and thirteen small pieces (or concertini, divertimenti) referenced as Hoboken XIV. Recent research has shown that some of these works may belong to other composers. Unlike CPE Bach and Mozart, who he admired, Haydn was not an exceptional performer, and his keyboard concertos have long remained in the shadow of Mozart's 27 concertos and also of other composers' concertos in which the soloist can show off his virtuosity. Haydn's music nevertheless demands a refined, clear and precise playing. Among the four works recorded on this CD, the Concerto in D Major Hob. XVIII: 11, composed in 1784, is Haydn's most popular and most played composition. The composer is at the peak of his art here, the form is balanced and the addition of oboes and horns gives depth and interesting colours. The slow movement is characterized by an elegant melody, the other movements are lively and sparkling, especially the Hungarian rondo that radiates energy and happiness. The oldest piece, the Concertino in C Maj Hob XIV: 12, for harpsichord, first and second violins and cello was probably composed in 1763 during Haydn's first years with the Etherazy family, then living in Eisenstadt . The manuscript of this work was kept in the archives of Bishop Olomouc in Kromeric Castle, now in the Czech Republic. The work is short, dense and simply shaped, with a lovely middle movement where the piano plays the conductor part, as in chamber music. The Concerto in D Major Hob.XVIII: 2, composed in 1767 for harpsichord or organ has a clear concerto form with tutti parts, and parts where the soloist has the opportunity to improvise his cadenzas. The manuscript of this concerto is in the National Library in Berlin and is generally credited to Baldassare Galuppi, but personal notes of Haydn prove that it is he himself who is the composer. The Concertino in F Major Hob. XIV: 2F, also kept at the Kromeric castle resembles the Concertino in C major by it's shape and style. After the death of Prince Nikolaus in 1790, Haydn's duties at the Ezterhazy court were greatly reduced but his salary was not. He took advantage of this new freedom, especially to go to London, for the first time in 1791-1792 and then again in 1794-1795, where he achieved fame. The story goes that Mozart, seeing him for the last time, before his first trip to London, was worried because Haydn could not speak English. Haydn replied that all men on earth understood his language. Haydn's music contains the purity and the light everyone needs. The personality of Haydn, an honest and conscientious craftsman, is reflected in his pure, clear and sincere music which helps to embellish life. Haydn wrote: "Since God has put joy in my heart, He will certainly forgive me if I serve him joyfully."