Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer during the Classical period. He played a key role in creating chamber music, especially the piano trio. Because of his work with musical forms, he is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and the "Father of the String Quartet." Much of Haydn's career was spent working as a court musician for the rich Esterházy family. They lived on a distant estate, which kept him away from other composers and the latest music trends. Haydn said this made him "forced to become original" in his work. Despite this, his music was known far and wide in Europe. For a large part of his life, Haydn was the most famous composer in Europe. His music reached many people even though he lived far from the main centers of musical activity. This wide spread helped him keep an important place in music history.