Haydn's Farewell Symphony (Once Upon a Masterpiece) - Hardcover

Celenza, Anna Harwell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1580895271 ISBN 13: 9781580895279

Publisher: Charlesbridge, 2016

Synopsis

Anna Harwell Celenza's engaging fictionalized telling of the story behind Franz Joseph Haydn's famous symphony is a perfect introduction to classical music and its power. THE FAREWELL SYMPHONY brings to life a long summer spent at Esterháza, the summer palace of Prince Nicholas of Esterházy.

The blustering, bellowing prince entertained hundreds of guests at his rural retreat and demanded music for every occasion. As the months passed, Haydn was kept very busy writing and performing music for parties, balls, dinners, and even walks in the gardens. His orchestra members became homesick and missed their families. The anger, frustration, and longing of the musicians is expressed beautifully in the symphony born of the clever mind of Joseph Haydn who used it to convince Prince Nicholas that it was time to go home.

Wonderfully expressive illustrations by JoAnn E. Kitchel capture all the comedy and pathos of this unique symphony. Beautifully interpretive motifs and borders convey the setting and emotion of the story mirroring the structure of the symphony with the repetitive use of sets of four. Making classical music and history come alive with color and character, THE FAREWELL SYMPHONY ensures a place for the arts in the hearts and minds of children.

About this title

About the Author

Anna Harwell Celenza is a musicologist and the author of several books for adults and children regarding music history and the history of art. Her children’s books include THE FAREWELL SYMPHONY, PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION, GERSHWIN'S RHAPSODY IN BLUE, and VIVALDI'S FOUR SEASONS. Anna lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

“Where are my trunks of clothes?” bellowed Prince Nicholas. “And my chess set and the silver candlesticks?”
            “They are all on the wagons, sir,” replied a weary servant.
            “Haydn!” the prince shouted. “Are the instruments packed? What about the musicians? Where are all the musicians?”
            “They are saying farewell to their families, sir,” Haydn replied.
            “Well, tell them to hurry up!” barked the prince. “I am ready to leave.”
            This was the scene at Prince Nicholas’s winter estate in Eisenstadt, Austria, on a sunny March morning in 1772. The winter’s snow had just started to melt, and Prince Nicholas was preparing for the annual move to his summer palace in the Hungarian countryside. The palace was called Esterháza, and it was the prince’s pride and joy.
            Accompanying the prince were twenty-two musicians and the royal music director, Joseph Haydn. Haydn was an excellent composer, famous throughout Europe. He wrote music for Prince Nicholas, but that was not his only responsibility. He also made sure that the musicians practiced diligently and stayed out of trouble. Haydn was even in charge of repairing broken instruments.

Edition details

• Publisher: Charlesbridge
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1580895271
• ISBN 13: 9781580895279
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Kitchel JoAnn
• Number of pages: 32