These must be the least well known of Haydn's later quartets, poorly represented over the years in recital programmes and on disc, yet they show Haydn at the height of his powers. When he first came to London in 1791 his string quartets proved popular items in his public concerts; back in Vienna preparing for his second London visit, he designed these new works especially for public performance, with attention-grabbing opening gestures and brilliant concertante writing for all four instruments.
As we've come to expect from The Lindsays' Haydn, these are deeply considered performances, bringing out the full individuality of each movement – the sensuous, romantic atmosphere of No 1's Adagio, the zany, high-spirited character of No 2's opening Allegro, with its leaping octave motif shared out between the instruments.
The Lindsays' lively tone quality and robust manner powerfully convey the rhythmic verve that's a mirror of Haydn's extraordinary creative energy; sometimes the playing sounds a bit too forceful. Whether you already know Op 71 or not, you're bound to enjoy this splendid issue.