- In 1769, he became a member of the Esterházy family's musical establishment, where he served as Kapellmeister for over 30 years.
- In 1791, he was awarded the title of "Hofkomponist" (Court Composer) by the Austrian Emperor Leopold II.
- In 1804, he was made an honorary member of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna, Austria's leading musical society.
- In 1808, he was awarded the prestigious gold medal of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in France.
- Haydn's music was also widely admired by his contemporaries, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who regarded him as a mentor and one of the greatest composers of his time.