description Haydn: String Quartet No. 62 (Emperor) Overview
Joseph Haydn's String Quartet in C major, Op. 76 No. 3, is known as the Emperor Quartet and was composed in 1797. Its slow second movement presents variations on Haydn's anthem “Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser,” written for Emperor Francis II; the melody later became the tune of the German national anthem, making the quartet relevant to listeners studying chamber music, national symbols, and musical reuse.
help Haydn: String Quartet No. 62 (Emperor) FAQ
Why is Haydn's String Quartet No. 62 called the Emperor Quartet?
The nickname comes from the slow second movement, which presents variations on Haydn's anthem Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser. The anthem was written for Emperor Francis II in 1797.
Which movement contains the Emperor theme?
The theme appears in the second movement of the C major quartet, Op. 76 No. 3. Haydn treats it as the basis for variations rather than simply repeating it unchanged.
What instruments perform the Emperor Quartet?
The work is scored for the standard string-quartet combination of two violins, viola, and cello. That chamber format lets the Emperor melody pass among four individual players.
What is the connection between the quartet and Germany's national anthem?
The melody Haydn used for Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser later became associated with the German national anthem. The quartet preserves that melody in a set of variations from 1797.
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