Haydn’s Piano Works: Exquisite Piano Pieces Crafted by the Father of the Symphony

Franz Joseph Haydn, born in Austria in 1732, was a leading Classical-era composer who was active as a composer and music director for the theater.

Known as the “Father of the Symphony” and the “Father of the String Quartet” for his prolific output in those genres, he also left behind a large number of piano works, including many piano sonatas.

In this article, we’ve selected some of Haydn’s most popular masterpieces for piano.

We’ll introduce them along with background on their composition and performance videos.

Enjoy Haydn’s unique world, where playful wit emerges within beautiful forms and refined sonorities!

Playlist

Haydn’s Piano Works: Exquisite Piano Pieces Crafted by the Father of the Symphony
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Piano Sonata No. 60 in C major, Hob. XVI:50Franz Joseph Haydn		Haydn’s late masterpiece, Piano Sonata No. 60
2	Piano Sonata No. 62 in E-flat major, Hob. XVI:52Franz Joseph Haydn		Haydn’s masterful Piano Sonata No. 62
3	Piano Sonata No. 42 in G major, Hob. XVI:27Franz Joseph Haydn		The appeal and characteristics of Haydn’s Piano Sonata No. 42
4	Fantasia in C major, Hob. XVII:4Franz Joseph Haydn		Haydn's technically demanding and distinctive piano piece
5	Piano Sonata No. 34 in E minor, Hob. XVI:34Franz Joseph Haydn		The masterpiece of Haydn’s Piano Sonata No. 34
6	Piano Sonata No. 35 in C major, Hob. XVI:35Franz Joseph Haydn		The charm of Haydn’s Piano Sonata No. 35
7	Piano Sonata No. 59 in E-flat major, Hob. XVI:49Franz Joseph Haydn		Introduction to Haydn’s popular Piano Sonata No. 59
8	Piano Concerto in D major, Hob. XVIII:11Franz Joseph Haydn		The allure of Haydn’s elegant piano concertos
9	Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Hob. XVI:46Franz Joseph Haydn		Commentary on Haydn’s Piano Sonata No. 31
10	Piano Sonata No. 47 in B minor, Hob. XVI:32Franz Joseph Haydn		Haydn’s Passionate Piano Sonata
11	Adagio in F major, Hob. XVII:9Franz Joseph Haydn		Introduction to Haydn's Elegant Piano Pieces
12	Andante and Variations in F minor, Hob. XVII:6Franz Joseph Haydn		Haydn’s piano piece, emotionally rich in double-variation form
13	Divertimento in F major “Teacher and Pupil,” Hob. XVIIa:1Franz Joseph Haydn		Expressing a dialogue between teacher and student in Haydn’s piano duet (four hands)
14	Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Hob. XV:25Franz Joseph Haydn		Haydn’s piano trios, masterpieces full of creativity
15	Theme and Six Variations ‘Easy and Pleasant’ in C major, Hob. XVII:5Franz Joseph Haydn		Haydn’s graceful piano piece, Theme and Variations