The program series ‘Stubborn Student’ is about the intersections between Haydn and Beethoven.
Last time, we played fragments from two string quartets of the two composers to demonstrate that Beethoven learned much more from Haydn than he ever wanted to admit. Today we will play those two quartets in their entirety, both commissioned by wealthy aristocrats. Haydn’s quartet was commissioned by Count Erdödy (see portrait), while Beethoven’s was paid for by Count Razumovsky, who even demanded to play as the second violinist during the premiere in his newly completed gigantic Viennese palace (see photo).
Joseph Haydn: String Quartet in G minor, Op. 76/1
Quatuor Ebène
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet in C major, Op. 59/3 ‘Razumovsky’
Vlach Quartet