Donald Macleod turns his attention to the high regard Haydn enjoyed from his friends, colleagues and audiences. Also, the extraordinary story of how Haydn lost his head.

Joseph Haydn’s prodigious creativity earned him the titles Father of the Symphony and Father of the String Quartet. However, he was also occupied with sacred music throughout his career. This week, as Donald Macleod follows Haydn’s journey from humble choirboy to Europe’s most celebrated composer, he shines the spotlight on music from Haydn’s many settings of the Mass. It's music that is as chock-full of invention and character as any of the instrumental forms he made his own.

Today, Donald draws a picture of Haydn’s immense popularity, not just as a comoposer but as a man. The affection in which he was held only grew as he entered old age.

Mass in B flat major ‘Harmoniemesse’: Agnus Dei and Dona nobis pacem
Nancy Argenta, soprano
Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano
Mark Padmore, tenor
Stephen Varcoe, baritone
Collegium Musicum 90
Richard Hickox, conductor

Trumpet Concerto in E flat major: movt I Allegro
Wynton Marsalis, trumpet
English Chamber Orchestra
Raymond Leppard, conductor

Symphony No 104 in D major ‘London’: movt IV Finale: Spiritoso
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti, conductor

Die Schöpfung: Part 1 Nos 10-14
Ruth Ziesak, soprano
Herbert Lippert, tenor
René Pape, bass
Anton Scharinger, bass-baritone
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, chorus director
David Schrader, piano
John Sharp, cello
Joseph Guastafeste, double bass
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti, conductor

Mass in B flat major ‘Schöpfungsmesse’: Kyrie and Gloria
Susan Gritton, soprano
Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano
Mark Padmore, tenor
Stephen Varcoe, baritone
Collegium Musicum 90
Richard Hickox, conductor

Producer: Eleri Llian Rees for BBC Cymru Wales Show less