Haydn's Emperor's Hymn
1797
Commissioned to give Austria an answer to the Marseillaise, Joseph Haydn composed 'Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser' - a melody so luminous it became, with new words, the German national anthem and remains so today. Haydn played it on the clavier in his last illness. He considered it his finest tune.
In context
Also in 1797 (4 other events on record)
- Treaty of Campo Formio · Europe · Politics
- XYZ Affair · North America · Politics
- Spithead Mutiny · Europe · Politics
- Battle of Camperdown · Europe · War
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in Culture
Era
Enlightenment (1651–1800), one of 696 events from that era on Saeculum.
Sources