This paper is the first Russian translation of one of the most interesting historical documents — Joseph Haydn’s London Notebooks. In short paragraphs, not connected with each other and sometimes rather scrappy, the great composer appears versatile and interested not only in music but also in science, literature, social events, entertainments and amusing incidents. Haydn clearly did not intend his notes for press; they were just to remind him of what he had experienced, of people he had met and, generally, of all he had considered significant or uncommon. Some notes are rather detailed and contain curious observations, but very often Haydn confined himself to hints which were to be clear only to him — such vague allusions seem not to lend themselves to exact decryption. This publication presents the translation of the First Notebook with commentary; it is supplied with an introductive article dealing with the history of the first Haydn’s visit to London and also the Chronicle of this visit.
Abstract