Haydn and the Enlightenment

Haydn is portrayed as a culturally and politically aware figure of the Age of Enlightenment, rather than an isolated instrumental musician. The author argues that Haydn's evolving compositional style reflects his engagement with contemporary aesthetic opinions and Enlightenment ideals. The book delves into Haydn's connection with his audience and highlights his understanding of art's moral purpose, particularly in his late symphonies, where he effectively pursues this objective.