Beethoven Fact 4: Beethoven and Haydn

As we learned from the profile of Beethoven, in 1793, Beethoven studied with the famous classical composer, Franz Josef Haydn. Though Beethoven spent less than a year's time with Haydn, their relationship was clearly strained. At the start of their lessons, Haydn had just returned from his first successful trip to London. With Beethoven's first publication, Haydn suggested that he should included "pupil of Haydn" underneath his name on the printing. Beethoven scoffed at the idea. It was later revealed that Beethoven mentioned he had never learned anything from Haydn despite his instructions. The frustrations seemed to lie only with Beethoven as Haydn was interested in taking Beethoven with him on his second trip to London. Luckily for Beethoven, as well as his relationship with Haydn, Beethoven could never truly voice his ill-feelings about Haydn due to Haydn's extreme popularity. It seems as Beethoven matured, his feelings toward Haydn mellowed and the two men remained friends. Even after Haydn's death, Beethoven revered him.