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Background

• Haydn wrote 68 quartets, establishing the blueprint for Classical chamber music.
• Early Years: Op. 1 & 2, c. 1755–1760. Labelled as divertimentos, featuring five movements and a dominant first violin.
• The Four Movement Standard: Op. 9 & 17, c. 1769–1771. He gave more independence to the viola and cello.
• The "Sun" Quartets: Op. 20, 1772. His first true quartet masterpieces; he integrated complex fugues and passionate Sturm and Drang emotions.
• The "Russian" Quartets: Op. 33, 1781. Marks the dawn of the true Classical style, with the introduction of the scherzo.
• Late Masterpieces: Op. 76, 1797. The peak of Haydn's craft. The famous "Emperor" Quartet was composed during this time.
• The "Lobkowitz" Quartets: Op. 77, 1799. Haydn's last quartets, dedicated to Prince Lobkowitz.

Recordings

• The Complete String Quartets
  The Angeles String Quartet
  Philips

• String Quartets Op. 33
  Cuarteto Casals
  Harmonia Mundi

• "Sun" Quartets Op. 20 Nos 1–3 & 4–6 · String Quartets Op. 33 Nos 1–3 & 4–6 · String Quartets Op. 76 Nos 1–3 & 4–6
  Chiaroscuro Quartet
  BIS
  BBC Music Magazine (2017): Disc of the Month (Op. 20)
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2017): Finalist (Op. 20)
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2018): Recommended Recording (Op. 20)
  International Classical Music Magazine (2023): Nominated Chamber Music (Op. 33)
  Radio 3 Record Review (2023): Record of the Week (Op. 33)
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2020): Record of the Week (Op. 76 Nos 1–3)
  Radio 3 Record Review (2021): Record of the Week (Op. 76 Nos 4–6)
  International Classical Music Magazine (2022): Nominated Chamber Music (Op. 76 Nos 4–6)

• All Shall Not Die. Op. 20 No. 5, Op. 33 No. 5, Op. 50 No. 6, Op. 54 No. 2, Op. 76 No. 2, Op. 77 No. 2
  Quatuor Hanson
  APARTE
  Diapason d'Or (2019): Nouveaute

• String Quartets Vol 2: Op. 20 No. 5, Op. 33 No. 3, Op. 76 No. 5
  Jerusalem Quartet
  Harmonia Mundi
  Diapason d'Or de l'Annee (2009)
  BBC Music Magazine Awards (2010): Chamber Award Winner

• String Quartets Op. 9, 17, 20, 33, Opp. 42 & 77, Op. 50, Opp. 54 & 55, Op. 64, Opp. 71 & 74, Op. 76
  The London Haydn Quartet
  Hyperion
  Gramophone Awards (2014): Shortlisted Chamber (Op. 33)
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2016): Finalist (Op. 50)
  Presto Recording of the Week (2017) (Opp. 54 & 55)
  The Times Records of the Year (2018) (Op. 64)
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2019): Finalist (Opp. 71 & 74)
  Gramophone Magazine (2023): Critics' Choice (Opp. 42 & 77)

• String Quartets Opus 33
  Quatuor Mosaiques
  Naive
  Gramophone Awards (1996): Winner Chamber

• Landscapes. Haydn: String Quartet in B-flat Major Op. 76/4
  Schumann Quartett
  Berlin Classics
  BBC Music Magazine (2017): Chamber Choice
  Schallplattenkritik Awards (2017): Winner Jahrespreis

• String Quartets Opp. 42, 77 & 103 · String Quartets Op. 74
  Takacs Quartet
  Hyperion
  Presto Recording of the Week (2011) (Op. 74)
  BBC Music Magazine (2022): Chamber Choice (Opp. 42, 77 & 103)
  International Classical Music Magazine (2023): Nominated Chamber Music (Opp. 42, 77 & 103)

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.