By 1784, Haydn had worked for Prince Nikolaus of Eszterháza for 18 years: five years earlier in 1779 he had renegotiated his contract to allow him to publish his music, as up to then all composition copyright belonged to the Prince as his patron. This led to Haydn becoming a hugely popular composer across Europe, despite being locked away deep in the Hungarian countryside at the Eszterháza Palace.
Today’s choice, the Keyboard Sonata in E minor, was composed in 1784, around the time that Haydn met and became friends with Mozart.
The first movement, a Presto, uses a rising arpeggio figure, and some Alberti bass as contrast. The following Adagio is in the relative major, and more melodic than the first (can you tell he was a violinist?) with some more tricky and ornamental writing in the right hand.
The final movement follows an interrupted cadence, leading to a Vivace molto, innocemente. The balanced phrasing is really easy to see, as is the Rondo form, with contrasting sections in the tonic major. and increasing ornamentation of the righthand melody. Haydn had a wicked sense of humour, which can be seen in the sudden pauses and then change of gear.
If you enjoyed this Haydn in E minor, try his Symphony 44 ‘Trauer’ in E minor, composed in 1772 – the last movement has a similar sequence to the final movement of this keyboard sonata:
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