Austrian musician (1732–1809) who takes a place among the first rank of composers in the history of Western music. The sheer magnitude of his gift—along with his seemingly inexhaustible industry—resulted in one of the largest and most significant bodies of work by any single figure. His mastery of two forms in particular—the string quartet and the symphony—practically defined the Classical style and exerted a potent influence on all composers who followed, most notably Wolfgang Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven (both of whom were intimate acquaintances of the older composer). Rare signed music score: Ariana a Naxos, Cantate a Voce Sola o Forte-Piano. First edition. London: “Printed for the Author and sold by him at No. 18, Great Pulteney Street and at J. Blands Music Warehouse, 45 Holborn,” no date [circa 1790]. Engraved wraps, 13.25 x 9.75, 18 pages. Signed in ink on the cover at lower right, “Haydn.” The present work is an Italian-language setting for soprano and keyboard based on the Greek myth of Ariadne, who gave Theseus the magic sword and ball of thread that enabled his famous escape from the Minotaur’s labyrinth. After Theseus abandoned her, she wed Olympian party boy Dionysus and bore him a daughter, Oenopion (the root of whose name gave us the word “oenophile,” i.e., lover of wine). Haydn composed the cantata by 1789, at which time he was about to embark on the most prolific and successful phase of his career. With the death of his patron, Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy, in 1790, Haydn suddenly gained a new measure of freedom from official musical duties. In the period from 1791 to 1795, he made two extended journeys to London, where he enjoyed the most spectacular success he had ever known. Work after work flowed from his pen, and he produced some of his greatest music, including the most important of his symphonies: the “Surprise,” the “Military,” the “Drumroll,” and the “London.” Material signed by Haydn has become exceedingly difficult to obtain; his signature on a score (itself a notable scarcity) from the most fertile period of his career makes for an item of exceptional interest, and one that deserves a place of honor in any serious collection. In very good condition, with pages disbound, scattered toning, soiling and minor foxing, all of which are mentioned for the sake of strict accuracy; none detracts materially from the beautifully penned signature or the item’s visual appeal, which remains considerable. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
