Joseph Haydn: String Quartets

7 July 2026

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)

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