Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer born in 1732 in Rohrau, Austria. He began his musical career at age 6 and worked for various aristocratic families, becoming the Kapellmeister of the Esterházy family in 1766. Haydn was one of the most prominent and influential composers of the Classical period, particularly known for his symphonies, sonatas and string quartets. He helped establish many characteristics of classical music such as motivic development.