Haydn was blessed with a music talent like none other. He was first asked to join the choir at St Stevens Cathedral in Vienna at the age of 8. He was committed to this for only a short period of time then left and got into violin, while studying harmony. In the late 1750s members of the noble families started to notice his music. By 1761 Joseph named " court musician," went to work for the Esterházy family. He was not influence by other composers but himself, and was employed until he reached 30. Haydn did teach Beethoven at a point yet went his own way with the emotional aspect of his music whereas Beethoven studied the more complex emotion. His good friend Mozart also had no influence on his music. The people stated " he was forced to become a original." Here he composed many instrumental compositions and operas for their palace. Believe it or not, Haydn composed his biggest hits in the last few years of his life. These include the London Symphonies and the Creation.