Presented by Leo Samama.
When Haydn had returned in Vienna after his first great London trip, Mozart had passed away in the meantime. He even had invited Mozart to join him, but he had other things on his mind. Haydn’s concerts in London were an enormous success. The audience was wildly enthusiastic about the new quartets and no less about the new symphonies that were written especially for London. It is understandable that once Haydn returned home, he immediately started composing new quartets, opus 71 and opus 74. The amateur violinist earl Apponyi gave the assignment, but even before his name could be connected to the official publication, these quartets had already been performed in London from handwriting copies. His music was this popular! The nicknames of the many quartets are also a sign of its popularity, like the Rider quartet, the Quinten quartet and Sunrise.
The late quartets of Haydn
Haydn – Quartet in G, opus 74:3 – Rider quartet
1. Allegro – 2. Largo assai – 3. Menuetto. Allegretto. Trio – 4. Finale. Allegro con brio Performers: Hagen Quartett
CD: DGG
Haydn – Quartet in D, opus 76:2 – Quinten quartet
1. Allegro – 2. Andante o più tosto allegretto – 3. Menuetto. Allegro ma non troppo. Trio – 4. Finale. Vivace assai
Performers: Doric String Quartet
CD: Chandos
Haydn – Quartet in B-flat, opus 76:4 – Sunrise
1. Allegro con spirito
Performers: Doric String Quartet
CD: Chandos
