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How did George Frideric Handelâs oratorios inspire Joseph Haydn?
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Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn, detail of a portrait by Thomas Hardy, 1791; in the collection of the Royal College of Music, London.
While in London in 1791, Joseph Haydn was deeply moved by performances of George Frideric Handelâs masterly oratorios. This experience inspired Haydn to compose his own works in the genre.1
The impact of Handelâs oratorios, combined with the influence of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozartâs operas, led Haydn to fuse epic and dramatic elements with his own mature mastery of symphonic style. This synthesis resulted in his masterpiece, The Creation (1798), which proved to be a deeply fulfilling project for the composer. Following the success of The Creation, Haydn was encouraged to compose another oratorio, The Seasons, which he completed in 1801.21