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In 1764 Prince Nicolaus made a journey to Frankfort for the
coronation of the Archduke Joseph as King of the Romans. After
the festivities connected with that imposing function were over
he extended his journey to Paris, where he created some sensation
by his extravagant displays of wealth and circumstance. During
the Prince's absence Haydn busied himself on a couple of
compositions intended to celebrate his home-coming. One was a Te
Deum, the other a cantata. The latter work is the more worthy of
remark, not because of its music, but because of the fulsomely
obsequious manner in which it celebrates the graces and virtues
of Nicolaus the Magnificent. The cantata is made up of choruses
and duets, a recitative and two arias. Parts of it were
afterwards employed in church services. The Te Deum is in C
major, and is for four voices with orchestra. It is interesting
as an early work, especially if we compare it with the greater Te
Deum in the same key composed in the year 1800.
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