Joseph Haydn composed his six string quartets Opus 64 in 1797.
The first movement of the # 6 is in E flat major—a mellow key for strings—is predominantly lyrical and inward-looking. The widely modulating development works the main theme in gliding imitative textures before becoming mesmerized by a little cadential figure that migrates from instrument to instrument.
The lyricism deepens in the B flat major andante, the expressive heart of the quartet. Whereas the slow movements of Nos 4 and 5 are essentially accompanied arias, this is another true democracy. In the outer sections the rising arpeggio figures sounded by each instrument in turn create an exquisitely interwoven texture.
The earthy minuet leaves its courtly model far in the background, though rusticity, typically, goes hand in hand with Haydnesque unpredictability.
The wonderful ländler trio features peasant-style glissandos. At the end, this bucolic tune is transferred to the second violin beneath a stratospheric staccato descant for the first—a delightful touch of exotic color.
Even by Haydn’s standards, the finale of Op 64 No 6 is a dazzling sonata-rondo that matches the finales of the London symphonies in wit, theatrical surprise and lightly worn contrapuntal virtuosity.
Watch and listen now. You’ll hear this elegant Minuet, complete with nice slides by the first violin.
