Phil Grabsky who did comprehensive DVD treatments of Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin, also did a great service to fans of Haydn and for those who have/had yet to realize that he is one of the Big Four, deservedly up there with Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach.
Haydn was a classical composer in the generations after Bach and before Mozart and Beethoven. However, Haydn was a friend of Mozart and taught Beethoven and the latter two greatly looked up to him and have many passages that are clearly influenced by Haydn. But, as this nice documentary shows, Haydn himself had an interesting life and was incredibly busy composing and performing some 160 CDs worth of material, exceeding the output of both famous composers who followed him.
As with the other composer DVDs, Grabsky uses a chronological approach, interspersing defining samples of Haydn’s work discussed and played by prominent modern musicians. In Haydn’s case, the different genres and instruments he wrote for are widely covered. And, as usual, the filmmaker includes ample uninterrupted extras of more of the composer’s pieces to round out the picture.
For those unfamiliar with his work, Grabsky is a skilled filmmaker who has also done incredible docs on famous artists like da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Monet, in case there are viewers who want to see more of his work. It goes without saying that his films on the other aforementioned classical composers are, likewise, outstanding. The viewer is given much seriously-digested information and unique insights into the composer’s character, work, and style.
In Search of Haydn is a significant contribution which makes a strong case for Haydn being one of the Big Four and deserves a place alongside the other greats of classical music. A wonderful homage and a real eye-opener from Grabsky as usual.