Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 1, Nos. 1-4

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is it, folks--the first string quartets in the history of the universe! The story of how they came to be is well known: it seems that Haydn was hanging out with a few musical pals in the Austro-Hungarian nobility one dull day in the 1760s, and instead of the usual two violins and a cello, he had an extra viola. Put them all together and voila! The rest is history. These early string quartets (there are 10 of them in all) were a smash hit, inspiring imitations all over Europe, but nothing could quite match the originals for charm and inspiration. So treat yourself to this excellent, budget-priced CD and own a highly entertaining bit of musical history. --David Hurwitz

Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 1, Nos. 1-4, Music, Franz Joseph Haydn, Kodaly Quartet, Chamber, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Quartet for Four String Instruments
Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 1, Nos. 1-4
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • An Outstanding Recording of Beautiful Music
  • Enjoyable music, expertly played
 Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 1, Nos. 1-4

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Haydn: String Quartets from Opp. 1 & 2
  2. Haydn: String Quartets Op. 9, Nos. 1, 3 and 4
  3. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 9, Nos. 2, 5 & 6
  4. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 17, Nos. 3, 5 and 6
  5. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 17, Nos. 1, 2, and 4

ASIN: B0000013QN
Release Date: 1994-02-10

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No.1: Presto
  2. String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No.1: Minuet
  3. String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No.1: Adagio
  4. String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No.1: Minuet
  5. String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No.1: Finale: Presto
  6. String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1,No. 2: Allegro molto
  7. String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Minuet
  8. String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Adagio
  9. String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Minuet
  10. String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Finale: Presto
  11. String Quartet In D Major Op. 1, No.3: Adagio
  12. String Quartet In D Major Op. 1, No.3: Minuet
  13. String Quartet In D Major Op. 1, No.3: Scherzo: Presto
  14. String Quartet In D Major Op. 1, No.3: Menuet
  15. String Quartet In D Major Op. 1, No.3: Finale: Presto
  16. String Quartet In G Major Op. 1, No.4: Presto
  17. String Quartet In G Major Op. 1, No.4: Minuet
  18. String Quartet In G Major Op. 1, No.4: Adagio ma non tanto
  19. String Quartet In G Major Op. 1, No.4: Minuet
  20. String Quartet In G Major Op. 1, No.4: Finale: Presto

Amazon.com

This is it, folks--the first string quartets in the history of the universe! The story of how they came to be is well known: it seems that Haydn was hanging out with a few musical pals in the Austro-Hungarian nobility one dull day in the 1760s, and instead of the usual two violins and a cello, he had an extra viola. Put them all together and voila! The rest is history. These early string quartets (there are 10 of them in all) were a smash hit, inspiring imitations all over Europe, but nothing could quite match the originals for charm and inspiration. So treat yourself to this excellent, budget-priced CD and own a highly entertaining bit of musical history. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Recording of Beautiful Music.......2006-08-13

When the four quartets on this CD were recorded, in 1991, the Kodaly Quartet ("KQ") had been playing together for more than twenty years. It shows. What is evident in this recording, as in all of the KQ's recordings of the entire Haydn cycle of string quartets, is the perfect cohesion of these highly talented musicians; they clearly have an intimate knowledge of the score and thoroughly enjoy playing together. The KQ's performance is fresh, truly conveys their love for this music, and fully brings to life the range of emotions contained in this musical microcosm - playfulness, elegance, sunny joy, and gentle reverie - with every movement of these quartets having a quality of refinement and graciousness that allows the listener to savor every note.

The allegro movements on this CD have a wonderful rhythmic vitality, such as in the Scherzo of Opus 1, No. 3. Other movements, such as the Finale: Presto of Op. 1, No. 2, convey a charming playfulness and joy. While listening to the allegro and minuet movements, one can imagine elegantly dressed men and women in the 18th century, with the women in long, flowing silk dresses, dancing to this music. Although this chamber music was originally composed for small private gatherings, the fast movements have a lively rhythm that evokes the image of dancing couples.

The adagio movements are played with a beautiful tenderness that invites the listener to close his eyes and float upwards into a serene musical heaven. For example, I have listened to the adagio of Haydn's Op. 1, No. 1 String Quartet many times since getting this CD; its long notes at the beginning of the movement, with a long pause that is then followed by the sweetly singing violin, with the viola and cello providing a gently soothing background rhythm, are of great beauty; when I listen to this movement, I feel as if I'm floating in the clouds like an albatross with its wings outspread, being lifted by air currents as it slowly glides through an azure sky on a warm summer day.

This digital recording, made at the Unitarian Church in Budapest, has a superb sound quality that is crystal clear, capturing the KQ's precision and their sensitivity to every nuance of every note. The sound engineering is truly first-rate, and gives a feeling of immediacy and physical presence to the instruments. It is only one step away from having the musicians actually performing in front of you, in your own living room.

I am very highly pleased with this series of the complete Haydn string quartets by the KQ. Rather than buying the complete set at once, I acquired it by buying the CDs one-by-one and enjoying each one individually. Having begun by getting Haydn's later quartets, that are widely recognized as his greatest ones, I at first hesitated to get his very earliest efforts in that genre, wondering if they might be in some way disappointing when compared to, for example, his Prussian quartets.

As it turns out, every volume in the series has been a delight, including the ones that have the Opus 3 quartets that were once attributed to Haydn and are now widely believed to have been composed by Romanus Hoffstetter (1742 - 1815).

The clear consensus of musicologists is that these early works are not at nearly the same level of musical inventiveness and complexity as Haydn's later quartets, the ones that are widely recognized as his greatest masterpieces of chamber music. Yet, as the previous reviewer points out, while Haydn's first string quartets are historically significant, they are more than mere historical footnotes. They are also beautiful music. Even these early first four quartets, thought to have been composed between 1757 and 1761, when Haydn was in his middle to late twenties, are wonderful compositions in their own right. The fact that they are less musically complex than his great string quartet masterpieces, such as the Opus 71, "Apponyi" quartets, in no way detracts from their beauty for me, especially in the adagio movements. Having now listened several times to this CD of Haydn's very first string quartets, I feel that if I had only heard his late quartets, I would have missed something wonderful.

I would gladly have paid twice as much for this CD and still felt it was an excellent value. In fact, it's almost unbelievable that a recording of such high quality is available at such a low price. The CD booklet has a well-written, extensive, informative essay, containing historical information, a musical analysis of these string quartets, and information on the Kodaly Quartet. Very highly recommended. Playing Time = 75:21.

5 out of 5 stars Enjoyable music, expertly played.......2003-06-02

These quartets do have a place in musical history. They contain the germs of the ideas that developed not only into the string quartets of Mozart and Beethoven but also into the classical symphony. (In fact, the Op. 1, No. 5 quartet - on another disc in the Kodaly Quartet's Haydn quartet cycle - has been found with wind instrument parts. Haydn himself evidently performed it as an early symphony, not just as a string quartet.)

But people don't usually buy discs just for a history lesson. The fact is that this early Haydn music is fun and witty and at times quite beautiful. And the Kodaly Quartet is a first-rate group whose performances can stand next to those of any other quartet around. We're fortunate that Naxos contracted with these Hungarian players to put out so many nice recordings, including the complete Haydn string quartets, at a budget price. Haydn's first four quartets are a good place to begin.
Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 17, Nos. 1, 2, and 4
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 17, Nos. 1, 2, and 4

    Manufacturer: Naxos
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    1. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 17, Nos. 3, 5 and 6
    2. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 9, Nos. 2, 5 & 6
    3. Haydn: String Quartets Op. 9, Nos. 1, 3 and 4
    4. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 20 "Sun", Nos. 4-6
    5. Haydn: String Quartets "Prussian", Op. 50, Nos. 1-3

    ASIN: B00000ICMA
    Release Date: 1999-03-23

    Tracks:

    1. String Quartet No.2 In F Major, Op.17: Moderato
    2. String Quartet No.2 In F Major, Op.17: Menuetto: Allegretto
    3. String Quartet No.2 In F Major, Op.17: Adagio
    4. String Quartet No.2 In F Major, Op.17: Finale. Allegro di molto
    5. String Quartet No.1 In E Major, Op.17: Moderato
    6. String Quartet No.1 In E Major, Op.17: Menuetto: Allegretto
    7. String Quartet No.1 In E Major, Op.17: Adagio
    8. String Quartet No.1 In E Major, Op.17: Finale: Presto
    9. String Quartet No.4 In C Minor, Op.17: Moderato
    10. String Quartet No.4 In C Minor, Op.17: Menuetto: Allegretto
    11. String Quartet No.4 In C Minor, Op.17: Adagio cantabile
    12. String Quartet No.4 In C Minor, Op.17: Finale: Allegro
    Franz Joseph Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 33 Nos. 1, 4 & 6 - Quatuor Mosaïques
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Superb Baroque Chamber Music
    • Astounding
    		 Franz Joseph Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 33 Nos. 1, 4 & 6 - Quatuor Mosaïques
    Christophe Coin , Erich Hobarth , Anita Mitterer , and Quatuor Mosaïques
    Manufacturer: Astree
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000024DAF
    Release Date: 1997-05-09

    Tracks:

    1. Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: Vivace Assai
    2. Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: Andante
    3. Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: Scherzo (Allegretto)
    4. Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: Finale (Allegretto)
    5. Qt in B, Op.33 No.1: Allegro Moderato
    6. Qt in B, Op.33 No.1: Scherzo (Allegro Di Molto)
    7. Qt in B, Op.33 No.1: Andante
    8. Qt in B, Op.33 No.1: Finale (Presto)
    9. Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: Allegro Moderato
    10. Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: Scherzo (Allegretto)
    11. Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: Largo
    12. Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: Presto

    Amazon.com

    These are very good performances of a major set of Haydn String Quartets, played on period instruments and conveniently grouped on two CDs. The group plays Haydn with respect and dedication, careful attention to detail, and excellent balance, so that you can hear the ingenuity of Haydn's part writing. But I want more in my Haydn playing--a sense of adventure and discovery and a few surprises here and there. This playing is too smooth for surprises. If you want greater vigor, try the Tatrai Quartet on modern instruments performing Haydn, or the Salomon Quartet on period instruments performing the String Quartets, Opus 33, Nos. 1-3 and Opus 33, Nos. 4-6, and Op 42. --Leslie Gerber

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Superb Baroque Chamber Music.......2007-02-18

    These two discs covering Hayden's Opus 33, with 1,4, and 6 on one issue and 2, 3, and 5 on the other issue are simply great listening. They are easily comparable to the masters of the medium such as Mozart and Beethoven. Both discs are done with 'sur instruments d'epoque' (instruments of the period) and while my ear is not trained well enough to spot the characteristics of the period instruments, I really prefer hearing works as the composer intended, much like listening to liturgical music recorded in a church.

    Both discs were very highly reviewed in periodicals when they were released, so to this I add that to my ear, they are very pleasant listening.

    5 out of 5 stars Astounding.......2002-11-02

    I disagree with the editorial review above. The playing here is incredibly searching and sensitive. It has plenty of bite when called for. Every phrase is shaped and articulated. It is as if the quartet is talking to you. Just extraordinary.

    The recording is the best recording of a string quartet I own, and one of best recordings I have ever heard, period. Perfect balance and space.

    Astounding. I am buying all of Mosaique's Haydn work.
    Haydn: String Quartets Op. 33 Nos. 1, 2 & 4
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Haydn: String Quartets Op. 33 Nos. 1, 2 & 4

      Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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      ASIN: B0000030VW
      Release Date: 1996-01-23

      Tracks:

      1. Qt No.1in b: First Movt: Allegro Moderato
      2. Qt No.1 in b: Second Movt: Scherzo-Allegro Di Molto
      3. Qt No.1 in b: Third Movt: Andante
      4. Qt No.1 in b: Fourth Movt: Presto
      5. Qt No.2 in E flat ('The Joke'): First Movt: Allegro Moderato
      6. Qt No.2 in E flat ('The Joke'): Second Movt: Scherzo Allegro
      7. Qt No.2 in E flat ('The Joke'): Third Movt: Largo E Sostenuto
      8. Qt No.2 in E flat ('The Joke'): Fourth Movt: Presto
      9. Qt No.4 in B flat: First Movt: Allegro Moderato
      10. Qt No.4 in B flat: Second Movt: Scherzo-Allegretto
      11. Qt No.4 in B flat: Third Movt: Largo
      12. Qt No.4 in B flat: Fouth Movt: Presto
      Haydn String Quartets Op. 1 Nos. 1-6 / Petersen Quartet
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Haydn String Quartets Op. 1 Nos. 1-6 / Petersen Quartet
        Petersen Quartet
        Manufacturer: Capriccio
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by Franz Joseph HaydnAll Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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        ASIN: B000001WUN
        Release Date: 1997-12-23
        Haydn: String Quartets Op. 9, Nos. 1, 3 and 4
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • Inspiration and a Few Surprises.
        		 Haydn: String Quartets Op. 9, Nos. 1, 3 and 4

        Manufacturer: Naxos
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

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        ASIN: B0000013YC
        Release Date: 1996-01-04

        Tracks:

        1. Moderato
        2. Menuet
        3. Adagio - Cantabile
        4. Finale: Presto
        5. Moderato
        6. Menuet: Un Poco Allegretto
        7. Adagio
        8. Finale: Presto
        9. Moderato
        10. Menuet: Allegretto
        11. Largo
        12. Finale: Presto

        Amazon.com

        Haydn's Op. 9 Quartets have been largely overshadowed by the many great works that came later, and this isn't entirely fair. In the composer's own day they were immensely popular, and rightly regarded as a tremendous step forward on the path to the high classical style. The Quartet Op. 9 No. 4 in D minor, in particular, is a really passionate and exciting piece of music whose emotional tension looks forward to the composer's "Sturm und Drang" ("Storm and Stress") period-still a few years off when these works were composed. These pieces, along with the set of six known as Opus 17, have become the least known among the great quartet cycles, but with fine performances at a budget price, there's no reason why this situation need continue. --David Hurwitz

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Inspiration and a Few Surprises........2000-09-28

        Naxos Records have provided music lovers with easy and inexpensive access to much of the great classical music repertoire. Their issues of Haydn's music have been particularly successful. This CD is one of a series of made by the Kodaly Quartet, four Hungarian musicians, in the 1990s. The music and the performances are self-recommending. When was Haydn lacking in inspiration and unable to provide a surprise or two? Especially inspired are the slow movements in these three quartets, and you could be surprised by the ways each of the finales concludes. Performances and recording are exemplary.
        Haydn: String Quartets Op. 9, Nos. 1, 3 and 4
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Haydn: String Quartets Op. 9, Nos. 1, 3 and 4

          Manufacturer: Naxos
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
          All Works by Franz Joseph HaydnAll Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B00002607J
          Release Date: 1994-01-01

          Tracks:

          1. Moderato
          2. Menuet
          3. Adagio-Cantabile
          4. Finale: Presto
          5. Moderato
          6. Menuet: Un Poco Allegretto
          7. Adagio
          8. Finale: Presto
          9. Moderato
          10. Menuet: Allegretto
          11. Largo
          12. Finale: Presto
          Joseph Haydn - String Quartets OP. 33 NOS. 1-4
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Joseph Haydn - String Quartets OP. 33 NOS. 1-4

            Manufacturer: Supraphone
            ProductGroup: Classical
            Binding: Audio CD
            ASIN: B000M7UVPU

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