Secular Cantata "Arianna a Naxos" (1789) by Franz Joseph Haydn - Hob.XXVIb:2

[The Hersch]

Janet Baker at the height of her powers singing Haydn at the height of his, with Raymond Leppard on fortepiano.

 

[DonRocks]

I suspect many won't listen to this piece, but it's really very lovely, even if you just let it play in the background as you're working - give it a try.

Some terms which may help you understand:

"Haydn" is, of course, "Papa Haydn," beloved by Mozart. Some serious classical musicians feel his reputation may one day surpass that of even Mozart himself as a classical composer.

A "Cantata" is merely a name used back in the late 1700's for a piece that was sung, usually to light orchestral accompaniment.

Most Cantatas were sung in church, and were religious in nature; Haydn wrote some that weren't - hence, the descriptor "Secular Cantata."

That unreadable identification number is merely a classification system used to classify and account for Haydn's works, similar to "Opus" for Beethoven, "BWV" for Bach, and "K." for Mozart. If you go to the Wikipedia entry (click on "classification system,") and note that XXVI (26) is the category for "Songs and Cantatas with Piano" - here is Haydn's entire list. Don't let yourself be intimidated by what is a mere catalog number.

Play the video, put the screen in the background, and enjoy the lovely, soothing music as you work.