description Haydn: String Quartets (Set) Overview
Haydn is often called the 'Father of the Symphony' and his string quartets are the perfect showcase of classical wit and structural ingenuity. They are conversational, witty, and perfectly balanced, treating the four instruments as equal partners in a musical dialogue. They are intellectually satisfying without ever becoming dry or academic.
help Haydn: String Quartets (Set) FAQ
What is the 'Emperor' Quartet by Joseph Haydn?
The 'Emperor' Quartet is the common name for String Quartet No. 62 in C major, Op. 76, No. 3, composed by Joseph Haydn in 1797. It is famous because its second movement features a set of variations on 'Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser,' the melody later used for the German national anthem.
Who is considered the best ensemble to record Haydn's String Quartets?
The Quatuor Mosaïques and the Kodály Quartet are widely considered among the finest interpreters of Haydn's complete string quartet cycles. Their recordings capture the perfect classical balance, structural ingenuity, and conversational wit required for Haydn's chamber music.
How many string quartets did Haydn write in total?
Joseph Haydn wrote 68 string quartets over his lifetime, fundamentally shaping the development of the classical string quartet format. His later collections, particularly the Op. 76 and Op. 77 sets, are considered masterpieces that heavily influenced Mozart and Beethoven.
What is the Tost Quartets cycle by Haydn?
The 'Tost' Quartets refer to a set of string quartets (Opp. 54, 55, and 64) that Haydn composed in the late 1780s and dedicated to the wealthy merchant Johann Tost. This collection includes the incredibly popular 'Lark' Quartet (Op. 64, No. 5), known for its soaring first violin melody.
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