Haydn: Famous String Quartets
On this recording the famous Gewandhaus Quartet performs three of the most well known works by the composer known as the “father” of the string quartet, Joseph Haydn. The disc includes his Op. 76, No. 2 in D minor “Fifths”; the No. 3 in C major “Emperor”; and the No. 4 in B flat major, called the “Sunrise”.
The Gewandhaus Quartet is the oldest continuously existing string quartet of all time. The members are Frank-Michael Erben (1st violin), Conrad Suske (2nd violin), Volker Metz (viola) and Jürnjakob Timm (cello).
Mozart was already dead when these six string quartets that make up Haydn’s opus 76 were written in 1797. These are excellent, warm performances that show strong mastery of this form of music making. As an example, in the so-called ‘Sonnenaufgang’ quartet we hear a musical effect that implies the gradual dawning of the new day. And then we hear the full impact when the sun comes out in all its glory.
Here is the String quartet in B flat major Op.76, called ”Sonnenaufgang”; The concert was held in the Brahms hall of MusikVerein in Vienna
And here is the Melos Quartet, performing the third movement, Menuetto. Allegro, from the String Quartet in B flat major, Op. 76, No. 4, , “Sunrise”
Tags: Joseph Haydn, string quartets, Gewandhaus Quartett