Joseph Haydn – Gott! Erhalte Franz den Kaiser

Joseph Haydn – Gott! Erhalte Franz den Kaiser – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Mus. Hs. 16.501 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)

Vienna (Austria) — 1797

Composed in Vienna for the Empire, today the melody of the German national anthem: Haydn's famous imperial anthem of the House of Austria and a true gem of music history

  1. The music of Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) played a significant role for the monarchies of Austria, Germany, and England

  2. This hymn was the Austrian national anthem for 140 years and is still the melody of the German anthem

  3. Haydn composed the imperial melody at his home in the first borough of Vienna from 1796 to 1797

Joseph Haydn – Gott! Erhalte Franz den Kaiser

Facsimile Copy Available!
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  1. Description
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Description
Joseph Haydn – Gott! Erhalte Franz den Kaiser

Joseph Haydn was one of the greatest composers of all time, and played a significant role for the monarchies of Austria, Germany, and England due to his compositions. One of the most significant and longest lasting contributions to musical history made by Haydn is the hymn "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser", which was the national anthem of Austrian for 140 years and still forms the melody of the modern anthem of the Republic of Germany. The various original documents critical to its developed have been reproduced in an outstanding facsimile edition. These originals by Joseph Haydn represent not only an important part of musical history but also that of Austrian history and are therefore one of the most precious treasures of the Austrian National Library.

Joseph Haydn – Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser

Two hundred years after the death of Joseph Haydn, one of his most famous and historically significant works appears in the form of an outstanding facsimile edition, produced with such high quality that it cannot be differentiated from Haydns own original work: Joseph Haydn's hymn: “Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser”. It is a melody which, excluding a short pause in history, was the national hymn of Austria for over 140 years and still lives on today as the national hymn of the Federal Republic of Germany. These originals by Joseph Haydn represent not only an important part of musical history but also that of Austrian history and are therefore one of the most precious treasures of the Austrian National Library. The manuscript Hs. 16.501 from the musical collection of the Austrian National Library is an anthology of different Haydn original works including the old hymn of the emperor “Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser”, a melody which was, except for a short pause in history, the national hymn of Austria for the last 140 years and still today lives on as the national hymn of the Federal Republic of Germany.

An Important Compendium from a Master Composer

Haydn composed the imperial melody between the middle of October 1796 and January of 1797 at his home named “for the seven Swabians”, which was located in the Flour Market, today known as the New Market in the first borough of Vienna. “Gott erhalte” was, according to the text by Lorenz Leopold Haschka, sung for the first time on February 12th 1797 in Vienna in honor of Emperor Franz.
Contents:
• First written record of the melody
• First written record of the final melody for piano
• Complete score for both song and orchestra
• The four variations of this melody for string quartet Hob.III:77 (“Emperor's Quartet”)
• The first printing of the hymn from 1797
There is a special charm upon opening the book: yellowed paper with darkened corners from repeated turning of the pages. Due to the different size of the pages within, it is apparent that this work was written at various times on individual pages and later bound together into a book. Amongst the musical bars are additional notes, which are loosely sketched in, as well as explanatory comments and text in brown ink – giving the facsimile a truly authentic feel.

Codicology

Size / Format
26 pages / 31.5 × 22.7 cm
Origin
Austria
Date
1797
Genre
Illustrations
Joseph Haydn's own handwritten scores and notes including corrections and additions
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
Joseph Haydn – Gott! Erhalte Franz den Kaiser – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Mus. Hs. 16.501 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Graz, 2008
Single Page

Joseph Haydn – Gott! Erhalte Franz den Kaiser

Autograph Score of the Original Version

The “Kaiserhymne” was composed at a time when Austria was under serious threat from Revolutionary France and patriotic sentiments were running high. While in England, Haydn became acquainted with the anthem “God Save the King” and desired to create something similar for his countrymen to sing at festive occasions in respect and love of their sovereign. According to Haydn’s servant, it was the last music he ever played.

This signed manuscript represents the original version, which Haydn composed at his house on the Neuer Markt in Vienna between October 1796 and January 1797, that was then copied, printed, and distributed with instructions for its performance to theaters and opera houses across the territories of Austria. It includes a single line for voice and a very simple piano accompaniment.

Joseph Haydn – Gott! Erhalte Franz den Kaiser – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Mus. Hs. 16.501 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Joseph Haydn: "Gott! erhalte Franz den Kaiser"

Binding: Hard bound according to the original. Facsimile and Commentary in a box.
Commentary: 1 volume (24 pages) by Günter Brosche
Language: German
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €
(under 1,000€)
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