A Croatian Composer: Notes Toward the Study of Joseph Haydn

''A Croatian composer : notes toward the study of Joseph Haydn by W. H. Hadow'' is a scholarly essay written during the late 1800s. It is a critical and historical publication that explores the ethnic and national background of Joseph Haydn, questioning the long-held assumption of his German identity. The book draws on ethnological, historical, and musical analysis to examine Haydn's possible Croatian roots, reflecting a period when nationalism and the study of folk influences in art were gaining intellectual prominence. The likely topic of the book is an inquiry into Haydn’s heritage, with particular attention to the impact of national and folk traditions on his musical output. The book methodically argues that Joseph Haydn was more likely of Croatian origin than German, situating his ancestry and the influence of Croatian folk music at the center of its thesis. Drawing on the research of Dr. František Š. Kuhač and others, the author presents biographical, linguistic, and especially musical evidence to support this claim. Hadow analyzes Haydn's melodies, rhythms, and compositional style, demonstrating frequent parallels with South Slavonic (especially Croatian) folk tunes. He also discusses Haydn’s upbringing in a culturally Croatian region and his lifelong connection to its musical traditions. The essay situates Haydn within a broader movement of artists whose national backgrounds shaped their artistic voices, advocating for the recognition of national influence in music and for a reassessment of Haydn’s legacy as rooted in Croatian culture.