Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 17 Nos. 1-6
The London Haydn Quartet
Those who want a 'period' performance should not hesitate; they are unlikely to hear any better of its kind. Articulation is light, precise yet full of nuance; vibrato is scarcely detectable...
Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 17 Nos. 1-6
The London Haydn Quartet
Purchase product
Those who want a 'period' performance should not hesitate; they are unlikely to hear any better of its kind. Articulation is light, precise yet full of nuance; vibrato is scarcely detectable...
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2 CDs for the price of 1
Haydn’s String Quartets Op 17 were written during his most effusively productive period, during his tenure in the service of the Esterházy family. He had a magnificent group of musicians at his disposal, including the young virtuoso violinist Luigi Tomasini, whose genius can be traced throughout these works, particularly in the achingly beautiful melodies of the adagio movements. These string quartets mark Haydn’s emergence as an indisputably great composer. They have a seriousness of intent and an increasing mastery of rhetoric and thematic development that are a world away from the lightweight divertimento-quartets that he was formerly producing.
They are performed here on period instruments by the dazzling London Haydn Quartet, whose disc of the Op 9 quartets drew the most extravagant praise from the critics. Their second disc has been eagerly awaited, and comes as part of Hyperion’s celebrations of ‘Haydn year’.
Contents and tracklist
Awards and reviews
October 2009
Those who want a 'period' performance should not hesitate; they are unlikely to hear any better of its kind. Articulation is light, precise yet full of nuance; vibrato is scarcely detectable yet intonation is immaculate; the whole texture shines.
September 2009
These musicians arrest attention by the variety of their bowing and articulation. They lean into notes, swelling and contracting the sound (a sort of messa di voce) to heighten the potential for expression. The first movement of No 2 (Moderato) offers an example of this technique which is allied to discerning part-playing, fine grading of tone and flexible rubato. A very imaginative interpretation.
10th June 2009
The players here are alive to the music’s spontaneity, and to the way Haydn crafts such a fertile mix of melody and texture.
13th June 2009
This second Hyperion survey brings the six op 17 quartets: music of domestic relaxation rather than grand public statements, crammed with subtle pleasures. A set to bring long-lasting pleasure.
