Now Hear This Season 2 Episode 1 Haydn: The King of Strings

Now Hear This is an acclaimed music documentary series that takes the viewers inside the world of classical music. In the first episode of the second season, titled "Haydn: The King of Strings," the acclaimed host and conductor Scott Yoo takes the audiences on a journey to explore the life and music of the legendary composer Franz Joseph Haydn.

Franz Joseph Haydn was a prolific composer who lived in the 18th century and was known as "The Father of the Symphony." He composed over 100 symphonies, 68 string quartets, and many other works, leaving a significant imprint on the classical music genre. In "Haydn: The King of Strings," Scott Yoo invites audiences to experience the beauty of Haydn's music by delving into his life story, musical inspirations, and musical style.

The episode explores the classical era, a period in music history when the style of composition and musical instruments underwent significant changes. Amid this era, the show sheds light on how Haydn defined the classical music era through his unique compositions. Through exploring Haydn's story, viewers learn about his roots, his humble beginnings as a choirboy, and how he rose to prominence as a composer. The show explores various locations, including the stunning seventeenth-century palace of Prince Esterházy, where Haydn worked for much of his career.

Viewers discover how Haydn's love for music began from an early age, and how his musical influences, including Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and Giuseppe Tartini, played a crucial role in shaping his unique style. They also learn about his close friendship with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who he met in Vienna in the late 1780s, and his relationship with another legendary composer, Ludwig van Beethoven.

In "Haydn: The King of Strings," Scott Yoo showcases Haydn's innovative compositions, particularly his string quartets, which are considered some of the finest ever written. Yoo explains how Haydn's use of variation, unique themes and rhythms, and harmonic structure set him apart from his contemporaries. The episode includes stunning performances from the world's leading musicians, including the Emerson String Quartet, who are widely regarded as one of the finest chamber groups of the modern era.

Throughout the episode, Scott Yoo discusses how Haydn's music was received during his lifetime and how it has influenced generations of composers. The program offers various perspectives on the composer, with interviews with contemporary musicians such as the Pulitzer Prize-winning Caroline Shaw and Haydn's great-great-great-great-great-grandson, Reiner Krausz.

In the show's usual style, Scott Yoo connects the viewer to the music by guiding them through the essential elements that make up Haydn's works. The host's passion for music and the stories behind the compositions are frequently felt throughout the episode. The show attributes the episode's success to Scott Yoo's unique ability to engage and educate viewers with a palpable enthusiasm for classical music.

Overall, "Haydn: The King of Strings" is an excellent episode of Now Hear This that offers a fascinating insight into one of the greatest composers of all time. The program highlights the brilliance behind Haydn's compositions and offers a unique perspective on his life and work. Through Scott Yoo's excellent hosting and performances from exceptional soloists and chamber groups, the episode succeeds in bringing the music of Haydn to life in a way that is easily accessible to the viewer.