Klarinet Archive - Posting 000137.txt from 1999/01

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Going to Vienna
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 00:10:16 -0500

Among my favorite things to do/places to go in Vienna are the sites which
relate to Joseph Haydn. Someone has already mentioned the Cathedral of
St. Stephen, a fascinating historical building in any case, where Haydn
was a choir boy and got his first formal musical training.

Also, Haydn's house can be visited. After he retired or was released by
the Esterhazy family in about 1790 or 91, Haydn moved back to Vienna and
bought a house. This was a remarkable event, because until that time,
musicians had been of the servant class, (I think we often still are.), or
they were monks or otherwise supported by the church or the aristocracy.
Haydn had achieved enough fame and made enough money to be considered part
of the newly-emerging middle economic class. He may have been the first
successful composer ever to own his own home.

There you can see some of the original furnishings, including Haydn's
harpsichord and pianoforte. It's a very fascinating place, especially if
you regard Haydn as highly as I do.

Also, the summer palace of the Esterhazy family is not far from Vienna,
and is also well worth a side trip.

Don't forget to eat Sacher Torte, the dessert specialty of Vienna, but
don't order it at the Hotel Sacher. There you will pay twice as much, and
the cake will be dry and stale. Anywhere else in the city will be better.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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