Amazing pieces of classical music - 27
Joseph Haydn's Quartet No. 66 in G major, Op. 77 No. 1, (Hob. No. III:81) performed by the Amadeus String Quartet (Norbert Brainin - Siegmund Nissel - Peter Schidlof - Martin Lovett) in 1956. Haydn wrote 68 string quartets, and according to reviewer David Hurwitz, they are the most important, influential, and masterful pieces of classical music ever written. The fluid diversity of textures is an actual hallmark of both Haydn and the overall Viennese style.
Haydn's "Lobkowitz" quartets No. 66 and 67, Op. 77 No. 1 and 2, are on their own already brilliant pieces of classical music as they were composed in 1799 at the hight of the composer's artistic prowess. He mastered the string quartet genre quite simply by transforming it into a dynamic and conversational form where all four instruments share equal roles. From his quartets of Op. 20 to those of Op. 77, he masterly blended structural brilliance with emotional depth and incredible humour.
Although Haydn's String Quartet No. 66 is a masterpiece of the late quartet repertoire, it's nevertheless noted for its formal innovation, deep emotional expression, and the adventurous, presto "Scherzo" movement, which foreshadows the compostions of Beethoven. The first movement is characterized by a lengthy development section and playful, conversational themes, while the second movement is a profoundly moving, "Hymnic" adagio that combines sonata form with elements of variation and passacaglia. The finale is an ebullient and energetic conclusion.
With each new quartet that Haydn composed there was then increasing change and modernization. The Amadeus Quartet's 1956 performance is one with a consistent choice for brisk tempos, accentuations, and nuances, while the playing retains its sparkle and colour. One could argue that the group's performance should be sounding a bit dated now because it's indeed from the last century, and that's evident from the quality of the recording, but the performed music itself remains beautiful. The group's four musicians mastered the music, but the music in the end did master them also
[media=https://youtu.be/pVM3XEcH0Kc]
Haydn's "Lobkowitz" quartets No. 66 and 67, Op. 77 No. 1 and 2, are on their own already brilliant pieces of classical music as they were composed in 1799 at the hight of the composer's artistic prowess. He mastered the string quartet genre quite simply by transforming it into a dynamic and conversational form where all four instruments share equal roles. From his quartets of Op. 20 to those of Op. 77, he masterly blended structural brilliance with emotional depth and incredible humour.
Although Haydn's String Quartet No. 66 is a masterpiece of the late quartet repertoire, it's nevertheless noted for its formal innovation, deep emotional expression, and the adventurous, presto "Scherzo" movement, which foreshadows the compostions of Beethoven. The first movement is characterized by a lengthy development section and playful, conversational themes, while the second movement is a profoundly moving, "Hymnic" adagio that combines sonata form with elements of variation and passacaglia. The finale is an ebullient and energetic conclusion.
With each new quartet that Haydn composed there was then increasing change and modernization. The Amadeus Quartet's 1956 performance is one with a consistent choice for brisk tempos, accentuations, and nuances, while the playing retains its sparkle and colour. One could argue that the group's performance should be sounding a bit dated now because it's indeed from the last century, and that's evident from the quality of the recording, but the performed music itself remains beautiful. The group's four musicians mastered the music, but the music in the end did master them also
[media=https://youtu.be/pVM3XEcH0Kc]
