'My language is understood by the whole world', these words by Joseph Haydn prove the claim by the great master of Viennese Classicism to build bridges with his music and to integrate in his art prevailing influences of the folkloristic music of the time, which made him into the precursor of a long tradition extending to Smetana, Dvorák and Bartók. Proceeding from Haydn's oeuvre and the musical traditions of Hungarian and Slovakian Roma, this recording by the versatile Austrian pianist Paul Gulda offers an impression of what Haydn may have heard in Esterháza around 1770 and what influenced his composition permanently. In congenial co-operation with Róbert Gapar's band, the musician of excellence easily manages to demonstrate the similarity of originally very different musical styles and to make their mutual enrichment palpable. In combination with works by Haydn that were evidently influenced by Roma musicians, traditional melodies and songs of Hungarian gypsy music of the time are here presented in an authentic manner.