The first of a series of seven programmes to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Presented by H. C. Robbins Landon ' The result of dire necessity '
HAYDN became the most popular composer the world had ever seen and one of the wealthiest. But he almost starved. He almost failed.
The story of how and why he succeeded is told by H. C. ROBBINS LANDON, who was inspired to make a lifelong study of the composer on being told, as a schoolboy, that 90 per cent of Haydn's music was not even published.
Film cameraman ROBIN ROLLINSON Film editor RICIIARD PAWELKO
Executive producer HUMPHREY BURTON Producer J. MERVYN WILLIAMS BBC Cllmru/Wales
(The Emperor Quartet: tomorrow 10.10) BBC Music Guides: Haydn String Quartets il.50, Haydn Symphonies £1 50, from booksellers