Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 20: performed from the Artaria edition published in Vienna in 1801

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this recording maintains their historically informed, period instrument approach. Once again, preparation has been meticulous...The almost vibrato-less playing is immaculate in intonation and... — BBC Music Magazine, December 2011, 3 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 30th Aug 2011
Catalogue No: CDA67877
Label: Hyperion
Length: 2 hours 40 minutes

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Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 20 No. 1 in E flat major

Work length26:03

$5.05

$6.25

London Haydn Quartet

I. Allegro moderato

Track length11:47

$2.05

$2.50

II. Menuetto: Allegretto

Track length4:12

$1.00

$1.25

III. Affettuoso e sostenuto

Track length6:18

$1.00

$1.25

IV. Presto

Track length3:46

$1.00

$1.25

Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 20 No. 2 in C Major

Work length26:53

$5.55

$6.85

London Haydn Quartet

I. Moderato

Track length11:35

$2.05

$2.50

II. Capriccio: Adagio

Track length7:00

$1.50

$1.85

III. Menuetto: Allegretto

Track length4:30

$1.00

$1.25

IV. Fuga a 4 soggetti: Allegro

Track length3:48

$1.00

$1.25

Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 20 No. 3 in G minor

Work length26:52

$5.00

$6.20

London Haydn Quartet

I. Allegro con spirito

Track length8:37

$1.50

$1.85

II. Menuetto: Allegretto

Track length5:20

$1.00

$1.25

III. Poco adagio

Track length7:36

$1.50

$1.85

IV. Allegro molto

Track length5:19

$1.00

$1.25

Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 20 No. 4 in D major 'Sun'

Work length30:16

$5.00

$6.20

London Haydn Quartet

I. Allegro di molto

Track length10:55

$1.50

$1.85

II. Un poco adagio affettuoso

Track length10:58

$1.50

$1.85

III. Menuetto: Allegretto alla zingarese

Track length1:51

$1.00

$1.25

IV. Presto scherzando

Track length6:32

$1.00

$1.25

Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 20 No. 5 in F minor

Work length30:04

$5.05

$6.25

London Haydn Quartet

I. Allegro moderato

Track length13:51

$2.05

$2.50

II. Menuetto

Track length5:48

$1.00

$1.25

III. Adagio

Track length6:15

$1.00

$1.25

IV. Fuga a 2 soggetti

Track length4:10

$1.00

$1.25

Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 20 No. 6 in A Major

Work length19:57

$4.50

$5.60

London Haydn Quartet

I. Allegro di molto e scherzando

Track length7:50

$1.50

$1.85

II. Adagio cantabile

Track length6:22

$1.00

$1.25

III. Menuetto: Allegretto

Track length2:31

$1.00

$1.25

IV. Fuga a 3 soggetto: Allegro

Track length3:14

$1.00

$1.25

About
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Haydn’s remarkable Opus 20 quartets are rightfully regarded as landmarks in the history of the string quartet.

Throughout the six contrasting quartets the composer employs compositional techniques that were to shape and define the genre.

We witness a deviation in style from the lightness and wit of his previous quartets to a mood of emotional intensity and darker musical imagery. The six Opus 20 works are all individually exquisite masterpieces and demonstrate a composer at the height of creative maturity. They display an astonishing consistency of excellence and a huge variety of form and style, contrasting dynamics and relentless energy. Increasingly polyphonic textures are infused with a sense of drama, and the cello is often freed from its basso continuo roots to a position of prominence.

The London Haydn Quartet is the ideal advocate for these works and gives elegant, radiant and exhilaratingly assured performances.

Reviews

December 2011

this recording maintains their historically informed, period instrument approach. Once again, preparation has been meticulous...The almost vibrato-less playing is immaculate in intonation and subtly responsive to shifts and contrasts of Haydn's invention.

November 2011

The young ensemble plays on authentic gut strings with classical bows. Their thin, supple tone brings out Haydn's melodic line...The commitment of this string quartet to one composer pays off. Their wiry, period tone suits Haydn's melodious, down-to-earth writing. They capture [his] urbane wit and complex intelligence

Awards Issue 2011

provocative interpretations - of enthralling magnitude.

1st September 2011

Using gut strings, classical bows and a bare minimum of vibrato, and making a point of using the Artaria edition of the works that Haydn himself supervised for publication in 1801, their performances often seem strikingly austere, and will not be to all tastes; they sometimes have a rawness that harks back to the early hair-shirt days of the period-instrument movement

Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 20

2 CDs

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