In connection with the 200th Jubilee year we are trying to show the life and work of the Austrian composer, who is linked to Hungary in many ways, from as many aspects as possible, to make sure that the unique concert experience of „the father of the symphony” and „the inventor of the string quartet” is not only enjoyed by music lovers but wider audiences as well, providing an opportunity for everybody to form their own image of Haydn.
Young people form one of the most important target audiences. Keeping this in mind we are looking for new ways in the Haydn Year 2009 to get classical music as an alternative to “entertainment” music closer to young people. Unusual singing lessons with the help of prominent musicians, alternative school curriculum about Haydn’s life and era, several cross-over events are organized in order to break the cliché according to which classical music is boring, outworn and has run its course. During the summer of 2009, we will launch the „Feast at Eszterháza” programme series in which prominent international Haydn festivals (the Haydn Festival of Eisenstad, the Haydn-Biennale Vlaanderen in Mechelen and the Haydn Festival of the castles of Brühl), and European cultural regions will have the opportunity to introduce themselves at the Eszterházy Palace in Fertőd, Haydn’s long-time place of residence in western Hungary. After all, Haydn, himself „roamed” across various cultures: his masterpieces were influenced by German, Hungarian and Croatian folk music as well as by Austrian and English court culture.
So let the Haydn Year 2009 be about „creation” and discovery, about coming to know and love classical music, the Viennese Classic period and Haydn’s oeuvre. Let our concert halls ring with Haydn’s compositions and send the message to the world that in Hungary MUSIC is written in capital letters! Official site: www.haydn-2009.hu (Budapestinfo)