Concerto for flute, in D Major, MH 105

Michael Haydn (1737–1806) was an Austrian composer, central figure of the Viennese Classical school, and a cornerstone of Salzburg’s musical life. While often overshadowed by his elder brother, Joseph Haydn, Michael was considered by contemporaries, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, to be a master of both sacred and instrumental composition.
Born in Lower Austria, Michael was the son of Mathias Haydn, a master wheelwright and local magistrate, and Maria Koller, a former cook. His home was filled with Austrian folk music and singing, though neither parent read music. In 1745, following Joseph’s lead, eight-year-old Michael was recruited as a boy soprano for the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Vienna. He taught himself violin, keyboard, and composition during his tenure at the Cathedral school, often practicing long into the night.
By age 25, Michael had secured a position as a Concertmaster and Composer to the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. He held this position for 44 years, serving alongside Leopold Mozart. While Joseph Haydn worked for the wealthy Esterházy family in rural Hungary, Michael remained in the cultural hub of Salzburg. Joseph famously remarked that Michael's sacred music was superior to his own.
His most famous direct student was Carl Maria von Weber, and his liturgical works served as the primary model for Franz Schubert. He excelled in the Sinfonia Concertante and was a pioneer in writing for brass and woodwinds. His Requiem in C Minor (1771) is widely cited as the direct inspiration for Mozart’s own Requiem.