1732-1809. Austrian composer. A teacher of
Mozart and Beethoven, he was a major exponent
of the classical sonata form in his numerous
chamber and orchestral works (he wrote more
than 100 symphonies). He also composed choral
music, including the oratorios The Creation
1798 and The Seasons 1801. He was the first
great master of the string quartet. Born in
Lower Austria, he was Kapellmeister 1761-90
to Prince Esterhazy. His work also includes
operas, church music, and songs, and the
`Emperor's Hymn', adopted as the Austrian,
and later the German, national anthem.