String Quartets Op 50 & 92: Quintet Op 39

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Prokofiev Wrote Only Very Few Works for Chamber Ensemble, Thus They Deserve Our Special Interest: In Each of These Pieces the Composerseeks to Combine Traditional and Innovative Elements, Without Restricting Himself to a Specific 'style'.

String Quartets Op 50 & 92: Quintet Op 39, Music, Prokofiev, Russian String Quartets, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical
Haydn: Complete String Quartets
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A superb Haydn benchmark
  • Perfect Dinner Music
  • Delightful Background Music
  • He truly is the father of string quartets!
  • A matter of taste?
Haydn: Complete String Quartets
Angeles String Quartet
Manufacturer: Philips
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
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
ClassicalClassical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Haydn: Complete Piano Trios
  2. Haydn: Complete Symphonies (Box Set)
  3. Haydn: The Complete Piano Sonatas
  4. Schubert: The String Quartets
  5. Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets

ASIN: B0000501PC
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: I. Presto
  2. Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: II. Menuetto
  3. Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: III. Adagio
  4. Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: IV. Menuetto
  5. Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: V. Finale: Presto
  6. Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: I. Presto
  7. Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: II. Menuetto
  8. Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: III. Adagio
  9. Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: IV. Menuetto
  10. Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: V. Presto
  11. Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: I. Allegro
  12. Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: II. Menuetto
  13. Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: III. Adagio
  14. Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: IV. Menuetto
  15. Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: V. Presto
  16. Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: I. Adagio
  17. Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: II. Menuetto
  18. Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: III. Presto
  19. Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: IV. Menuetto
  20. Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: V. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: I. Presto
  2. Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: II. Menuetto
  3. Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: III. Adagio Ma Non Tanto
  4. Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: IV. Menuetto
  5. Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: V. Presto
  6. Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: I. Presto Assai
  7. Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: II. Menuetto
  8. Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: III. Adagio
  9. Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: IV. Menuetto
  10. Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: V. Finale: Presto
  11. Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: I. Allegro
  12. Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: II. Menuetto
  13. Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: III. Adagio
  14. Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: IV. Menuetto
  15. Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: V. Allegro Molto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: I. Allegro Molto
  2. Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: II. Menuetto
  3. Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: III. Adagio
  4. Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: IV. Menuetto
  5. Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: V. Finale: Presto
  6. Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: I. Presto
  7. Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: II. Menuetto
  8. Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: III. Adagio
  9. Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: IV Menuetto: Allegretto
  10. Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: V. Allegro
  11. Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: I. Adagio
  12. Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: II. Menuetto
  13. Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: III. Presto: Scherzo
  14. Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: IV. Menuetto
  15. Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: V. Presto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: I. Moderato
  2. Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: II. Menuetto: Un Poco Allegretto
  3. Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: III. Adagio
  4. Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
  5. Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: I. Moderato
  6. Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: II. Menuetto
  7. Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: III. Adagio
  8. Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: IV. Finale: Allegro Molto
  9. Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: I. Allegro Moderato
  10. Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: II. Menuetto
  11. Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: III. Largo
  12. Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: IV. Finale: Presto
  13. Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: I. Moderato
  14. Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: II. Menuetto
  15. Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: III. Adagio Cantabile
  16. Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: I. Poco Adagio: Theme And Vars
  2. Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: II. Menuet: Allegretto
  3. Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: III. Largo Cantabile
  4. Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: IV. Finale: Presto
  5. Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: I. Presto
  6. Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: II. Menuetto
  7. Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: III. Adagio
  8. Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: IV. Finale: Presto
  9. Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: I. Moderato
  10. Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: II. Menuet
  11. Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: III. Adagio
  12. Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
  13. Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: I. Moderato
  14. Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: II. Menuet: Poco Allegretto
  15. Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: III. Adagio
  16. Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: IV. Finale: Allegro Di Molto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: I. Andante Grazioso
  2. Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: II. Menuet: Allegretto
  3. Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: III. Adagio
  4. Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: IV. Allegro Di Molto
  5. Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: I. Moderato
  6. Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: II. Menuet: Allegretto
  7. Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: III. Adagio Cantabile
  8. Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: IV. Finale: Allegro
  9. Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: I. Moderato
  10. Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: II. Menuet: Allegretto
  11. Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: III. Adagio
  12. Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: IV. Finale: Presto
  13. Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: I. Presto
  14. Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: II. Menuet
  15. Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: III. Largo
  16. Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: IV. Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: I. Allegro Moderato
  2. Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: II. Menuet: Un Poco Allegretto
  3. Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: III. Affettuoso E Sostenuto
  4. Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
  5. Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: I. Moderato
  6. Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: II. Capriccio: Adagio
  7. Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: III. Menuet: Allegretto
  8. Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: IV. Fuga A Quattro Soggeti: Allegro
  9. Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: I. Allegro Con Spirito
  10. Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: II. Menuet: Allegretto
  11. Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: III. Poco Adagio
  12. Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: IV. Allegro Di Molto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: I. Allegro Di Molto
  2. Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: II. Un Poco Adagio E Affettuoso
  3. Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: II. Menuet Alla Zingarese
  4. Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: IV. Presto E Scherzando
  5. Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: I. Moderato
  6. Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: II. Menuet
  7. Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: III. Adagio
  8. Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: IV. Fuga A Due Soggetti
  9. Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: I. Allegro Di Molto E Scherzando
  10. Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: II. Adagio
  11. Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: III. Menuetto
  12. Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: IV. Fuga A Tre Soggetti: Allegro

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: I. Allegro Moderato
  2. Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: II. Scherzo: Allegro
  3. Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: III. Andante
  4. Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: IV. Presto
  5. Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': I. Allegro Moderato, Cantabile
  6. Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': II. Scherzo: Allegro
  7. Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': III. Largo Sostenuto
  8. Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': IV. Finale: Presto
  9. Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': I. Allegro Moderato
  10. Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': II. Scherzo: Allegretto
  11. Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': III. Adagio
  12. Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': IV. Rondo: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: I. Allegro Moderato
  2. Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: II. Scherzo: Allegretto
  3. Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: III. Largo
  4. Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: IV. Presto
  5. Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: I. Vivace Assai
  6. Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: II. Largo E Cantabile
  7. Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: III. Scherzo: Allegro
  8. Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: IV. Finale: Allegretto
  9. Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: I. Vivace Assai
  10. Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: II. Andante
  11. Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: III. Scherzo: Allegretto
  12. Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: IV. Finale: Allegretto
  13. Str Qt in d, Op.42: I. Andante Ed Innocentemente
  14. Str Qt in d, Op.42: II. Menuet
  15. Str Qt in d, Op.42: III. Adagio E Cantabile
  16. Str Qt in d, Op.42: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: I. Allegro
  2. Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: II. Adagio Non Lento
  3. Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: III. Poco Allegretto
  4. Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: IV. Finale: Vivace
  5. Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: I. Vivace
  6. Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: II. Adagio Cantabile
  7. Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: IV. Finale: Vivace Assai
  9. Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: I. Allegro Con Brio
  10. Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: II. Andante Piu Tosto Allegretto
  11. Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
  12. Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: I. Allegro Spirito
  2. Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: II. Andante
  3. Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: III. Menuetto
  4. Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: IV. Fuga: Allegro Moderato
  5. Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: I. Allegro Moderato
  6. Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: II. Poco Adagio
  7. Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: III. Menuetto
  8. Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: IV. Finale: Vivace
  9. Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': I. Allegro
  10. Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': II. Poco Adagio
  11. Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': III. Menuetto: Allegretto
  12. Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': IV. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: I. Vivace Assai
  2. Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: II. Allegretto
  3. Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: III. Menuet
  4. Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: IV. Vivace
  5. Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: I. Vivace
  6. Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: II. Adagio -
  7. Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: IV. Adagio
  9. Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: I. Allegretto
  10. Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: II. Largo
  11. Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
  12. Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: I. Allegro
  2. Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: II. Adagio Cantabile
  3. Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: III. Menuet
  4. Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: IV. Finale: Vivace
  5. Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': I. Andante
  6. Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': II. Allegro
  7. Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': III. Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': IV. Presto
  9. Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: I. Vivace Assai
  10. Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
  11. Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: III. Menuetto
  12. Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: IV. Presto

Tracks:

  1. Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: I. Allegro Moderato
  2. Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: II. Menuet: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
  3. Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: III. Allegretto Scherzando
  4. Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
  5. Str Qt in b, Op.64 No.3: I. Allegro Spirito
  6. Str Qt in b, Op.64 No.3: II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
  7. Str Qt in b, Op.64 No.3: III. Menuet: Allegretto -

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

A massive set--67 string quartets on 21 discs in a budget-priced, shelf-friendly, compact box. So the obvious question is: do you need it? The equally obvious answer is a resounding "yes" if you love these endlessly inventive quartets and if you appreciate superbly played performances that capture both the letter and the spirit of Haydn's genius. The Angeles String Quartet isn't as well known as some ensembles that have recorded complete Haydn sets, but they are superior to all, with the arguable exception of the Tatrai Quartet. They demonstrate technical polish and rich, warm sound that's never cloying. And they give these works the forward-moving impetus they need within a classical framework, eschewing both anachronistic Romanticism and the mechanical astringency of period specialists.

The Angeles Quartet is unique in its mastery of early as well as late works, in tune with Haydn's stylistic development and sensitive to the attractions of each of these remarkable pieces. So they infuse the visionary slow movements of the late quartets with the appropriate depth and at the same time revel in the muscularity of the Opus 76 No.2's catchy Menuetto, the humor of the "Joke" Quartet, Opus 33 No.2, and the power of the Allegro con spirito of Opus 76 No.1. Most impressive is their way with the early quartets--no small matter when you consider that the contents of the first six discs precede the Opus 20 set generally considered as signaling the maturity of the form. The Angeles make even the earliest quartets, five-movement divertimentos for four strings, a habit-forming delight. Their playing here is full of exuberance, wittily playful and rough, peasantlike by turns. The sonics are outstanding, too, well-balanced, warm, and lifelike. An indispensable recording. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A superb Haydn benchmark.......2007-06-28

It takes a lot of time to grasp Haydn's music, because there's much of everything: symphonies, piano sonatas, operas, piano trios, string quartets, choral works, songs, etc. - in sum, more than one thousand individual works. It will probably take more than a year listening to it all, and comprehend it as well (i.e., not as "background music"). Few, if any person, can have a complete grasp of everything he wrote.

But there are nonetheless good reasons trying to grasp Haydn's music, at least partly. This bargain set - 68 string quartets on 21 CDs - is a perfectly good reason. Haydn's string quartets contain some of his finest music. And the present recordings with Angeles Quartet are simply superb. Unlike many period instrument performers, Angeles Quartet avoids meticulous mannerism and plays this music with energy and passion, without loosing structural control. Furthermore, the recordings are excellent, with a rich, creamy and spacious sound. In short, great performances and excellent engineering. A benchmark recording, no less.

There are some rival complete sets: Aeolian Quartet (Decca), Festetics Quartet (period instrument performances, Arcana), Tátrai (Hungaroton), and Kodaly Quartet (Naxos). In terms of sound, the present set is clearly preferable. In terms of performances, the only serious rival is Tátrai Quartet's classic collection from the sixties. But Angeles Quartet is not a second choice. If you hesitate, you need both. Budget and shelf space minded collectors need not hesitate.

5 out of 5 stars Perfect Dinner Music.......2007-05-14

Some might be offended at the idea that music be played in the background to accompany a fine meal, but in fact most of us listen to music in the background. This entire set of 15-CDs is (to my ears) the perfect music to accompany a delicious meal with someone you love. I have owned this CD set for years and never tire of it.

I have found that after listening to it hundreds of times that using iTunes in shuffle mode keeps it fresh.

5 out of 5 stars Delightful Background Music.......2006-03-04

This music is a great buy, and wonderful to listen to while doing desk work or reading.

The Angeles String Quartet does an excellent job, and all of the works are so tuneful that I frequently found myself walking around the house humming the tunes after hearing a quartet for the first time.

5 out of 5 stars He truly is the father of string quartets!.......2005-09-27

This may not be true as far as the instrumentation is concerned, but Haydn is one of the first to explore them as more than a solo violin with a trio accompaniment (second violin, viola and cello), thus giving the chamber music a new dimension.

If you've already explored Haydn's universe through some of his glorious symphonies, these string quartets are an excellent way of further expanding your appreciation of Haydn's music. There are very few dull moments in this lot (and almost all of them are to be found in his early quartets, while there are a few in his very latest works, where he seems to have lost the energy and brio that had established him as one of the best composers of his time). His first works have five movements and ressemble the divertimenti or serenatas. Later on, his quartets took a form which was to become standard, both for Haydn and other composers: four movements - a fast one, a slow one, a minuet and trio and a fast finale.

If one listens to Haydn's string quartes in chronological order, one can feel and appreciate his growth and maturity as a composer. The motives introduced during the first movement are developed over the entire work entity, the increasing use of first movements that are monothematic, the expansion of harmonic usage, the combination of serious with funny, intellectual with ridicule, etc.

Both Mozart and Beethoven wrote famous series of string quartets, but I've always liked Haydn's quartets the most. My personal favorites are op. 76 (especially no 3, which later on became the German National Anthem), op. 64 (especially no 5 called "The lark") and op. 33 (where Haydn introduced special effects, like a birdcall, which gave the third quartet its name).

3 out of 5 stars A matter of taste?.......2005-05-31

It is something unpleasant about the sound here; it is resonant, yes, but not like the Takacs quartet. Comparing to the Takacs' take on op.76/1, 2 & 3, which I love, the Angeles' makes me think of a grey substance, sterile, antiseptic, of no life. Is it the sound quality? Or is it the way the quartet is playing? I think the latter, but it is difficult to figure out what is wrong; in fact I don't find any serious miscalculations. The problem is that the playing feels calculated; it is some kind of contrived perfection, it all feels too concious; I feel something wrong about the accent, the stress of the phrasings... but I give up: Suffice it to say that I regret I bought this collection of boring performances. Three stars for professional playing. If you like some human touch, go for the Aeolian quartet, less perfection, more life.
Haydn: String Quartets, Opp. 51, 54, 55, 64, 71, 74
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • essential Haydn quartets
  • Rock Me Amadeus
Haydn: String Quartets, Opp. 51, 54, 55, 64, 71, 74

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
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
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Deutsche Grammophon: MusicDeutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. String Quartets
  2. Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets
  3. Beethoven: The String Quartets
  4. Haydn: Complete Piano Trios
  5. Mozart: String Quartets Nos. 14 - 23

ASIN: B0002U9G9E
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars essential Haydn quartets.......2007-07-11

I have a tendency to be a completist, however, experience tells me that typically not all of a composer's works within a certain genre are equally appealing. There are a number of exceptions - Beethoven immediately comes to mind - but I don't, for example, feel compelled to have all the symphonies of Mozart (but I do have all the piano concertos & listen to all of them, although some are more inspired than others).

This Haydn set includes 18 quartets plus op. 51. If you acquire this along with a 3 disc set of quartets that include op 76, 77 & 103 (also performed by the Amadeus Quartet on DGG), you will find that between both sets you'll have a fairly comprehensive survey of the best of Haydn's quartets. One critic, reviewing a set of complete Haydn quartets, referred to some of his early quartets as "equivalents of today's elevator music." No need to worry about that on these sets though.

These discs were recorded between 1971-1978 & the sound is consistently fine. I'm not a Haydn expert, so I can't vouch for the performances except to say that the Amadeus Quartet (active 1947-87) was a highly regarded ensemble that recorded extensively during that time (complete Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms quartets etc).

This 7 cd package is one of DGG's collector editions that is usually available through an Amazon reseller for considerably less than the list price, which makes it an outstanding bargain.

Highly recommended!

5 out of 5 stars Rock Me Amadeus.......2005-08-31

A few years ago my father got me the Angeles Quartet box set of the complete Haydn String Quartets. It took me a while to listen to and absorb all 21 discs, but after a time I decided to give it back to dad for a spin. Not a huge string quartet collector, he had a few Naxos discs of the various Haydn opuses, but nothing comprehensive. Well he quickly fell in love with the Angeles performances, and since the box took up so little space on his over-crowded CD shelves, he decided that the loan of this set might be extended indefinitely. He offered me his Naxos titles, but I declined, and thought about getting the Aeolian box on Decca/London instead. I then came across this 7CD set in DG's "Collectors Edition" series by the acclaimed Amadeus String Quartet. I purchased it along with their "Trio" title collecting opp. 76, 77 & 103, and realized ten discs of Haydn SQs as a secondary set was plenty. I had been previously impressed by Amadeus on other recordings (see my reviews of their Schubert and Brahms/Dvorak discs), and they are in top flight form on the Haydn works as well. The Angeles set offers extraordinary music for a better overall value, but if you want a lot, but not necessarily all, of the Haydn String Quartets, you can't go wrong with Amadeus.
Franz Joseph Haydn: Complete String Quartets (Box Set)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Many Hours of Magnificent Listening Pleasure
Franz Joseph Haydn: Complete String Quartets (Box Set)
Kodly Quartet
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
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
ClassicalClassical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Haydn: Complete Piano Trios
  2. Beethoven: The Piano Trios
  3. Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet
  4. Schubert: The String Quartets
  5. Brahms: Works for Solo Piano

ASIN: B00004SSJF
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Allegro con spirito
  2. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Adagio sostenuto
  3. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Menuetto: Presto
  4. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Finale: Allegro ma non troppo
  5. String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Allegro
  6. String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Andante o piu tosto allegretto
  7. String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Menuetto: Allegro ma non troppo
  8. String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Vivace assai
  9. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Allegro
  10. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Poco adagio, cantabile
  11. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Menuetto: Allegro
  12. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Allegro con spirito
  2. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Adagio
  3. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Menuetto: Allegro
  4. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Finale: Allegro ma non troppo
  5. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Allegretto - Allegro
  6. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Largo cantabile e mesto
  7. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Menuetto: Allegro
  8. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Finale: Presto
  9. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Allegretto - Allegro
  10. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Fantasia: Adagio
  11. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Menuetto: Presto
  12. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Finale: Allegro spirituoso

Tracks:

  1. The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: L'Introduzione: Maestoso ed adagio
  2. The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata I: Pater, dimitte illis, non enim sciunt, quid faciunt (Largo)
  3. The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata II: Amen dico tibi: hodie mecum eris in paradiso (Grave e cantabile)
  4. The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata III: Mullier, ecce fillus tuus, et tu, ecce mater tua! (Grave)
  5. The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata IV: Eli, Eli, lama asabthani? (Largo)
  6. The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata V: Sitio (Adagio)
  7. The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata VI: Consummatum est! (Lento)
  8. The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata VII: Peter! in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum - (Largo)
  9. The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Il terrmoto (Presto e con tutta la forza)
  10. String Quartet No. 68 In D Minor, Op. 103 Hob. III: 83: Andante graziso
  11. String Quartet No. 68 In D Minor, Op. 103 Hob. III: 83: Menuetto ma non troppo presto

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: Allegro
  2. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: Adagio
  3. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: Menuetto: Allegretto
  4. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: (Finale): Vivace
  5. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Adagio-Allegro
  6. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Adagio (cantobile)
  7. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Finale: Allegretto
  9. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Vivace
  10. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Andante con moto
  11. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Menuetto
  12. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Finale: Vivace

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Vivace
  2. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Adagio
  3. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Menuetto: Allegretto
  4. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Finale: Adagio-Presto-Adagio
  5. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Allegro con brio
  6. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Allegretto
  7. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Finale: Presto
  9. String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Allegro
  10. String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Largo cantobile
  11. String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Menuetto: Allegretto
  12. String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Allegro (moderato)
  2. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Andantino (grazioso)
  3. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Menuetto: Allegro
  4. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Finale: Vivace
  5. String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Allegro spiritoso
  6. String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Andadnte grazioso
  7. String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Menuetto
  8. String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Finale: Presto
  9. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Allegro
  10. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Largo assai
  11. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Menuetto: (Allegretto)
  12. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Finbale: Allegro con brio

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Allegro
  2. String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Adagio cantabile
  3. String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Menuetto
  4. String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Finale: Vivace
  5. String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Andante o piu tosto allegretto
  6. String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Allegro
  7. String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Finale: Presto
  9. String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Vivace assai
  10. String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Adagio ma non troppo
  11. String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Menuetto
  12. String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Finale: Presto

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 Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Adagio
  12. String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Minuet
  13. String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Scherzo: Presto
  14. String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Menuet
  15. String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Finale: Presto
  16. String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Presto
  17. String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Minuet
  18. String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Adagio ma non tanto
  19. String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Minuet
  20. String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Presto
  2. String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Minuet
  3. String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Adagio
  4. String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Minuet
  5. String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Finale: Presto
  6. String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Presto assai
  7. String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Minuet
  8. String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Adagio
  9. String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Minuet
  10. String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Finale: Allegro
  11. String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Allegro
  12. String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Minuet
  13. String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Adagio
  14. String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Minuet
  15. String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Finale: Allegro molto
  16. String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Allegro molto
  17. String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Minuet
  18. String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Adagio
  19. String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Minuetto
  20. String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Allegro moderato
  2. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Menuetto: Allegretto ma non troppo
  3. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Allegretto scherzando
  4. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Finale: Presto
  5. String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Allegro spiritoso
  6. String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Adagio ma non troppo
  7. String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Finale: Presto
  9. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Vivace assai
  10. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Adagio
  11. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Menuetto: Allegretto
  12. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Finale: Allegro con spirito

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Allegro con brio
  2. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Menuetto: Allegretto
  3. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Adagio - Cantabile e sostenuto
  4. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Finale: Presto
  5. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Allegro moderato
  6. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Adagio - Cantabile
  7. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Finale: Vivace
  9. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Allegro
  10. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Andante
  11. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Menuetto: Allegretto
  12. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Allegro moderato
  2. Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Minuet: Un poco allegretto
  3. Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Affetuoso e sostenuto
  4. Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Finale: Presto
  5. Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Moderato
  6. Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Capriccio: Adagio
  7. Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Minuet: Allegretto
  8. Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Fuga a quattro soggetti
  9. Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Allegro con spirito
  10. Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Minuet: Allegretto
  11. Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Poco adagio
  12. Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Finale: Allegro di molto

Tracks:

  1. Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Allegro di molto
  2. Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Un poco adagio e affettuoso
  3. Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Menuet alla Zingarese: Allegretto
  4. Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Presto e scherzando
  5. Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Moderato
  6. Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Menuet
  7. Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Adagio
  8. Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Finale: Fuga a due soggetti
  9. Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Allegro di molto e scherzando
  10. Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Adagio
  11. Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Menuet
  12. Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Fuga con tre soggetti

Tracks:

  1. Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Andante ed Innocentemente
  2. Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Menuetto: Allegretto
  3. Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Adagio e cantabile
  4. Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Finale: Presto
  5. Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Presto
  6. Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Menuet
  7. Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Adagio
  8. Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Menuet: Allegretto
  9. Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Finale: Allegro
  10. Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Adagio With Variations
  11. Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Menuet
  12. Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Scherzo: Presto
  13. Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Menuet
  14. Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Moderato
  2. Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Menuet
  3. Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Adagio - Cantabile
  4. Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Finale: Presto
  5. Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Moderato
  6. Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Menuet: Un poco allegretto
  7. Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Adagio
  8. Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Finale: Presto
  9. Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Moderato
  10. Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Menuet: Allegretto
  11. Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Largo
  12. Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Moderato
  2. Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Menuet
  3. Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Adagio
  4. Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Finale: Allegro di molto
  5. Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Poco adagio
  6. Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Menuet: Allegretto
  7. Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Largo: Cantabile
  8. Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Finale: Presto
  9. Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Presto
  10. Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Menuet
  11. Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Adagio
  12. Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Vivace assai
  2. Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Largo e cantabile
  3. Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Scherzo
  4. Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Finale
  5. Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Allegro moderato
  6. Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Scherzo
  7. Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Largo e sostenuto
  8. Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Finale
  9. Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Allegro moderato
  10. Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Scherzo
  11. Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Andante
  12. Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Finale

Tracks:

  1. Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Allegro moderato
  2. Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Scherzo: Allegretto
  3. Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Adagio ma non troppo
  4. Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Finale: Rondo - Presto
  5. Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Vivace assai
  6. Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Andante
  7. Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Scherzo: Allegretto
  8. Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Finale: Rondo - Presto
  9. Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Allegro moderato
  10. Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Scherzo: Allegretto
  11. Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Largo
  12. Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Moderato
  2. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
  3. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Adagio
  4. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Finale: Allegro di molto
  5. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Moderato
  6. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
  7. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Adagio
  8. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Finale: Presto
  9. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Moderato
  10. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Menuetto
  11. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Adagio cantabile
  12. String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Presto
  2. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Menuetto
  3. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Largo
  4. String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Presto
  5. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Andate grazioso
  6. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Menuetto: Allegretto
  7. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Adagio
  8. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Allegro molto
  9. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Moderato
  10. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Menuetto
  11. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Adagio
  12. String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Presto

Tracks:

  1. Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Allegro moderato
  2. Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Adagio
  3. Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Menuetto: Presto
  4. Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Finale: Presto
  5. Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Allegro moderato
  6. Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Menuet: Presto
  7. Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Andante
  8. Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Finale: Vivace assai

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Allegro
  2. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Adagio non lento
  3. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Menuetto: Poco allegretto
  4. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Finale: Vivace
  5. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Vivace
  6. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Adagio: Cantabile
  7. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Finale: Vivace assai
  9. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Allegro con brio
  10. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Andante piu tosto Allegretto
  11. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Menuetto: Allegretto
  12. String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Allegro spirituoso
  2. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Andante
  3. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Menuetto: Poco allegretto
  4. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Finale: Fuga: Allegro moderato
  5. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Allegro moderato
  6. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Poco adagio
  7. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Finale: Vivace
  9. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Allegro
  10. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Poco adagio
  11. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
  12. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Finale: Allegro con spirito

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Many Hours of Magnificent Listening Pleasure.......2007-02-20

When these quartets were recorded, in the 1990's and early 2000's, the Kodaly Quartet ("KQ") had been playing together for more than a quarter century. It shows. What is evident on these recordings is the perfect cohesion of these highly talented musicians; they clearly have an intimate knowledge of the score of each quartet 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 these CDs have a wonderful rhythmic vitality.
While listening to them, one can imagine elegantly dressed men and women in the 18th century, with the women in long, flowing silk dresses, moving across the dance floor to the sounds of this wonderful 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 slow movements are played with a beautiful tenderness that invites the listener to float upwards with closed eyes into a serene musical heaven, 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.

These digital recordings have an excellent crystal clear sound quality, capturing the KQ's precision and their sensitivity to every nuance of every note. The sound engineering is truly first-rate, giving 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 absolutely delighted with this series of the complete Haydn string quartets by the KQ. As it turns out, every CD in the series has been a delight, including the ones with "spurious arrangements" and quartets that may very well not have been composed by Haydn at all, but by Romanus Hoffstetter (1742 - 1815).

Even the early string quartets are more than mere historical footnotes. They are also beautiful music, irrespective of who composed them, Haydn or Hoffstetter. They are delightful and very worthy compositions in their own right. As stated by Allan Badley in the booklet notes to one of the CD's of the earliest quartets: "There is much to admire in the Op. 3 Quartets, whoever the composer may have been. They are elegant, neatly composed works with lively outer movements, gentle, graceful slow movements, and the kind of lilting, intoxicating minuets that are an integral part of Austrian music of the period." The fact that these string quartets are less musically complex than Haydn's later masterpieces, such as the Opus 71, "Apponyi" quartets, does not detract from their beauty.

I would gladly have paid twice as much for this set of CDs and still felt it was an excellent value. The CD booklet notes are well-written, with historical information, musical analysis, and information on the Kodaly Quartet. Very highly recommended.
Prokofiev: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2; Sonata for 2 Violins
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Beautifully Played Prokofiev Quartets
  • Ignor the Ignor Recommendation, Read both the good and the bad!
  • Bottom-drawer Prokofiev, pleasantly played
  • Very good, if a bit too polished
  • 20th-Century Chamber Music Unafraid of Charm
Prokofiev: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2; Sonata for 2 Violins

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

DuetsDuets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Emerson String QuartetEmerson String Quartet | ( E ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by ProkofievAll Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Deutsche Grammophon: MusicDeutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Emerson String Quartet
  2. American Originals - Ives & Barber: String Quartets
  3. Debussy, Ravel: Streichquartette
  4. Bela Bartok: The 6 String Quartets - Emerson String Quartet
  5. Dvorák, Tchaikovsky, Borodin: Quartets

ASIN: B000001GF2
Release Date: 1992-04-14

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet No. 1 In B Minor, Op. 50: 1. Allegro
  2. String Quartet No. 1 In B Minor, Op. 50: 2. Andante Molto - Vivace
  3. String Quartet No. 1 In B Minor, Op. 50: 3. Andante
  4. Sonata for 2 Violins in C Major, Op. 56: 1. Andante Cantabile
  5. Sonata for 2 Violins in C Major, Op. 56: 2. Allegro
  6. Sonata for 2 Violins in C Major, Op. 56: 3. Commodo (quasi Allegretto)
  7. Sonata for 2 Violins in C Major, Op. 56: 4. Allegro con Brio
  8. String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 92: 1. Allegro sostenuto
  9. String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 92: 2. Adagio
  10. String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 92: 3. Allegro - Andante Molto - Quasi Allegro I, ma un Poco pinquilo - Allegro I

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Beautifully Played Prokofiev Quartets.......2007-03-10

Serge Prokofiev does not come to mind as a string quartet writer but his two attempts in that form are interesting and engaging works. The First Quartet was written on a commission from the Library of Congress for their chamber music concerts in 1930. The quartet became the last work of Prokofiev to be premiered in the West.

Both of the Quartets are in three movements. The First Quartet is characterized by catchy melodies and quick tempi in the first two movements concluded with an introspective Andante that remains inward looking until the quartet quietly concludes. The Sonata for Two Violins, from 1932, is cast in four short movements and is more typically caustic for Prokofiev that the First Quartet. After a brief and quiet introduction, the violins engage in a sharp exchange in the second movement. The third movement returns to the introspection of the first and the Allegro con brio finale is a happy duel between the violinists that becomes more lyrical.

Prokofiev's final quartet was written in 1941 after he had been evacuated during the Second World War. The Second Quartet was based on Caucasian melodies. The quartet is simply written and appealing. The first movement has some beautiful melodious and the second, an Adagio, is wonderfully animated particularly in the play of instruments in the pizzicato section. The final movement is based on a dance tune that brings the quartet to a brilliant conclusion.

The Emerson Quartet plays the Sonata and the Quartets beautifully and while these may not be among the best of Prokofiev's works they are richly textured and melodic. The recording is nicely balance and clear. An interesting disc if you are interested in Prokofiev and string quartets.

4 out of 5 stars Ignor the Ignor Recommendation, Read both the good and the bad!.......2006-08-01

As one reviewer put it, Prokofiev didn't successfully transfer his idiom to chamber music. None the less, we do have these works, and they are indeed worth listening to and even worth owning. Some discerning listeners will be hard pressed to hear Prokofiev throughout these works, but will be pleased to know that Prokofiev does indeed shine through on many occasions as well. Perhaps this review should be titled, "The Path Not Taken," instead of a mere sharpshooting of Prokofiev's sharpshooters.

I'm not certain just where the criticism lies: Prokofiev probably will not go down in history as a "major" composer the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, etc., but certainly will do well. Perhaps it is because he wrote a lot of boring music for boring films. (But some people love Nevsky and Kije.) Perhaps it is because he wrote a lot of concertos that are over played by undertalented musicians in the concert hall. I just don't know.

What I do know is that I enjoy listening to this performance of the String Quartets and the Sonata for 2 violins given to us by the Emerson String Quartet. While I don't come back to these as often as I do other chamber works, I still come back to these often enough to recommend them to those who like Prokofiev and chamber music. He wrote so little of it. Enjoy what there is.

2 out of 5 stars Bottom-drawer Prokofiev, pleasantly played.......2005-10-05

Bad reviews aren't popular at Amazon, but the good reviews of this CD are misleading. Prokofiev did not successfully translate his idiom to the string quartet, and these two works are generally considered glib failures of imaginaiton as well. Prokfiev's idiom depended on several things that are absent here: soaring, sweet string lines, motor rhythms backed up by strong percussion, tunefulness, and often a folkloric foundation.

These quartets contain a bit of his idiom, but there's no message. They are too timid and faceless. One can tell that they're by Prokofiev, but comparisons with Bartok, Schonberg, or Shostakovich are wishful thinking.

4 out of 5 stars Very good, if a bit too polished.......2005-09-09

Like all performance recordings produced by the Emerson Quartet, this recording of two unjustly neglected masterpieces gives great value for money. The fly in the ointment is that, for my money, the Emerson Quartet is almost too technically polished, and a bit emotionally detached. In both quartets, I have the sense a deeper vein remains unmined by these interpretations. I'd recommend anyone interested in this repetoire check out the less expensive recording on the Naxos label, performed by the less-well known Aurora String Quartet. That recording also features a superb performance of Prokofiev's Cello Sonata, Op.119 by the principal cellist of the San Francisco Symphony, Michael Grebanier.

5 out of 5 stars 20th-Century Chamber Music Unafraid of Charm.......2002-07-11

The twentieth century in Western music did not know quite what to do with Prokofiev, and so, it largely ignored him.

Yet, it is clear that he was one of the century's pre-eminent composers, a master, and to ignore him ultimately reflects worse on those who overlooked him. Like Sibelius, Prokofiev both drew great draughts from the well of Tradition, and yet clearly spoke with his own voice. The gigantic stature of these two composers, together, is not quite convenient to the `musical progressivists,' who would maintain (a little naively, and quite inartistically) that greatness in Art is contingent upon some notion of "progress."

Prokofiev had the further disadvantage of following Stravinsky's astonishingly strong lead; he essentially followed Stravinsky to Paris, trying similarly to make his name via Dyagilev's Saisons russes. But (among other factors) a string of misfirings with Dyagilev's company, and that small matter of Prokofiev having a musical personality of his own (rather than being a clone of Stravinsky who, all question of his undeniable greatness aside, could practically do no wrong so far as the French were concerned), made Prokofiev's going slow, as he sought to establish himself outside of Russia.

Prokofiev was not Schoenberg or Bartók, either; and these two well-wrought string quartets have unfairly been given short shrift for their obvious dissimilarity against the monumental output of the Austrian and the Hungarian in the medium of the string quartet. (The tone of Prokofiev's work is perfectly distinct from Bartók's, even where the former uses folk materials, as in the second quartet.) But, as with Prokofiev's marvelous pair of Violin Sonatas, these two quartets are masterfully constructed, brilliantly conceived for the instruments and ensemble - in short, they are perfect musical statements, and everything that Prokofiev had to say musically, he said with grace and charm, whether writing for the symphony orchestra, or for piano solo, or for any chamber combination in between.

The Sonata for two violins is a lovely bonus on this disc. The astonishing thing about this piece is how Prokofiev manages, with only two musicians, to conjure echoes of some of the textures in his orchestral works, especially in the opening Andante cantabile; the musical fabric is beguilingly rich for a mere duet. The third movement. Commodo (quasi allegretto) is signature Prokofiev, tender nostalgia sometimes tinctured with desolation. This is a minor work, with a big spirit.
Haydn: String Quartets Op. 64, Nos. 1, 2 and 3
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Exploring the Haydn Quartets -- Opus 64 No. 1-3
Haydn: String Quartets Op. 64, Nos. 1, 2 and 3

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
CDs Under $7CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
4-for-3 Classical4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
4-for-3 All Music4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 64, Nos. 4-6
  2. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 71, Nos. 1-3 "Apponyi Quartets"
  3. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 20 "Sun", Nos. 4-6
  4. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 74, Nos. 1-3
  5. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 33 "Russian", No. 3 "The Bird", 4 and 6

ASIN: B0000013W3
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Allegro Moderato
  2. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Menuetto: Allegretto ma non Troppo
  3. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Allegretto Scherzando
  4. String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Finale: Presto
  5. String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Allegro Spiritoso
  6. String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Adagio ma non Troppo
  7. String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Menuetto: Allegretto
  8. String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Finale: Presto
  9. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Vivace Assai
  10. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Adagio
  11. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Menuetto: Allegretto
  12. String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Exploring the Haydn Quartets -- Opus 64 No. 1-3.......2004-05-30

This budget-priced CD is part of a complete recording of the Haydn string quartets performed by the Kodaly Quartet of Budapest. It includes the first three quartets in Haydn's opus 64, which consists of 6 quartets. These are rather late works and were composed in 1790, just before Haydn's first visit to London. (i.e. the time of the "London" symphonies) There is no more accessible introduction to chamber music than the Haydn quartets. This CD is a delight in its variety and in the joy of making music.

The first quartet of the set, in C major, is serene and happy in character. The first movement is an allegro moderato which opens with a bouncy theme in the solo violin which is soon taken up by the entire quartet. There is counterpoint in the minor in the development, and the recapitulation, surprisingly, is extended and varies the exposition by shifting to the minor key just before the end. This quartet lacks a slow movement. The second movement is a minuet which features a whimsical theme in the cello. The third movement is a scherzo which is angular in character and slightly faster than the minuet. It consists of a lengthy theme which is repeated and embellished twice -- almost a variation movement. The finale is marked presto and features dramatic pauses and stops and a piping theme in the violin's high register. The movement and the quartet come to a sudden, quiet ending.

Although the first quartet lacks a slow movement, this lack is more than compensated in the lovely adagios in the second and third quartets on this CD.

The second quartet is in B-minor and is somber in character. The first movement, allegro spirituoso, opens with a short violin solo followed by a dramatic turn to the minor. The movement increases in intensity as it progresses. The second movement, adagio ma non troppo, is an extended slow movement with a lyrical theme and long note values. The theme is stated in the first violin and echoed in the cello and middle strings. As the theme is developed it is elaborated with filigree in the violin and a restatement of the theme in the cello. The third movement is a minuet which returns to the minor. It features a peaceful, lyrical trio in which the violin has the lead. This theme in the trio echoes the slow movement of the quartet. The finale is marked presto and is again in the minor. The movement increases in dramatic intensity until its quiet end in the high register of the violin.

I found the third quartet in B-Flat major the most enjoyable of the three on this disk. The quartet is lively and energetic, with unusual rhythms, lots of trills, and a slow movement even more extended that that of the b-minor quartet. There is excellent contrast and continuity in the movements of this work.

The first movement, vivace assai, opens in unison with the opening theme followed by a flowing second theme stated in the violin. There are many delicious twists and turns in this movement, particularly the trills over the cello and the running themes in the violin. The second movement is marked adagio. It is a lengthy movement which opens with a slow, meditative theme followed by an intense, plaintive middle section and a return of the opening material. The minuet is lively, emphatic, and rhythmic, featuring many trilling sections in the middle and lower strings and a cello drone in the trio. The finale is lively with a short, falling, carefree figure repeated many times by the first violin. There is a contrast in this movement between quick and slow sections. There is a short slow section just before the end and then a jolly close in unison.

These quartets were written to be played by amateurs and to be enjoyed by their listeners. Even more than is the case with his symphonies, Haydn established a standard in his quartet writing that subsequent composers emulated and developed. There is much excellent music in these quartets that remains to be appreciated and discovered. This CD will reward exploration both by listeners new to chamber music and to experienced listeners.
Haydn: String Quartets Op. 50
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Superior!
Haydn: String Quartets Op. 50

Manufacturer: Cpo Records
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
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 71, Nos. 1-3 "Apponyi Quartets"
  2. Haydn: The Last 3 String Quartets
  3. Haydn: String Quartets Op 64 Nos 2, 4, 5 /Quatuor Mosaiques
  4. Haydn: String Quartets Op 64 Nos 1, 3, 6 /Quatuor Mosaiques
  5. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 33 "Russian", No. 1, No. 2 "The Joke", No. 5 "How do you do?"

ASIN: B000001RWW
Release Date: 1994-07-26

Tracks:

  1. Allegro
  2. Adagio Non Lento
  3. Menuetto. Poco Allegretto - Trio
  4. Finale. Vivace Assai
  5. Vivace
  6. Adagio Cantabile
  7. Menuetto. Allegro-Trio
  8. Finale. Vivace Assai
  9. Allegro Con Brio
  10. Andante Piu Tosto. Allegretto
  11. Menuetto. Allegretto/Trio
  12. Finale. Presto

Tracks:

  1. Allegro Con Brio
  2. Andante
  3. Menuetto. Poco Allegretto/Trio
  4. Finale. Fuga. Allegro Moderato
  5. Allegro Moderato
  6. Poco Adagio - 'Der Traum'
  7. Tempo Di Menuet. Allegretto/Trio
  8. Finale. Vivace
  9. Allegro
  10. Poco Adagio
  11. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
  12. Finale. Allegro Con Spirito

Amazon.com

These six quartets are not as well known as those of Haydn's Op. 76, but they should be. No piece sounds like the others, and all are fascinating. The famous Tátrai Quartet recordings (Hungaroton) have been the standard for Haydn's quartets for years, and they still hold up well. This new ensemble plays just as well as the Tátrai, but with somewhat more color in its tone, and of course the newer recording is somewhat superior. The Tátrai set will probably never need replacing in our lifetimes (except by listeners looking for period instruments), but this Nomos set might well be a first choice for newcomers to this glorious music. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Superior!.......2000-08-28

This is a SUPERB recording of Haydn's "Prussian" quartets at a relatively LOW price. The Nomos Quartet is an ensemble of very talented young German musicians. Once I put the first disc in my CD player, I sat enraptured for 2 1/2 hours, until I had listened to all six quartets -- something I rarely do in one sitting. An added bonus are the liner notes, which provide unusally detailed descriptions and analyses of each movement. Highly recommended.
Prokofiev: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2; Cello Sonata
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great recording of under-rated pieces at astonishing value
  • A Wonderful Bargain
Prokofiev: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2; Cello Sonata

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
CelloCello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by ProkofievAll Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
CDs Under $7CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
4-for-3 Classical4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
4-for-3 All Music4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Violin Sonatas
  2. Sibelius: Complete String Quartets
  3. Franck: Quintet in Fm; Chausson: String quartet in Cm
  4. Bridge: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 3
  5. Walton: Piano Quartet / String Quartet

ASIN: B000001451
Release Date: 1995-05-09

Tracks:

  1. String Quartet No.1: Allegro
  2. String Quartet No.1: Andante molto
  3. String Quartet No.1: Andante
  4. String Quartet No.2: Allegro sostenuto
  5. String Quartet No.2: Adagio
  6. String Quartet No.2: Allegro
  7. Cello Sonata: Andante grave
  8. Cello Sonata: Moderato
  9. Cello Sonata: Allegro ma non troppo

Amazon.com

This is but one of several Naxos releases that show how far the label has come in audiophile terms over the past couple of years. The account of the Cello Sonata by Grebanier and Guggenheim is particularly bracing; the piece was written with the formidable talents of Mstislav Rostropovich in mind, but Grebanier, undaunted, swallows it whole. Those familiar with his work as principal cello of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra will not be surprised. The warmth and richness of his tone, especially in the lower octave, can actually be felt on this disc, which preserves equally brilliant performances of the two quartets. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Great recording of under-rated pieces at astonishing value.......2003-08-03

This CD is a true gem. Prokofiev's Cello Sonata is one of the finest pieces in the instrument's repitoir and a true masterpiece by the composer himself, if somewhat uncharacteristic of his chamber work. The string quartets themselves are true Prokofiev chamber work and very good to the listener. These are pieces rarely seen that deserve far more attention from both enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. For the price this CD can not be beaten.

The two string quartets presented here are vintage Prokofiev chamber works. The string quartet section of the recording is not as amazing a recording as it could be, but its still quite impressive. It begins somewhat roughly, taking a moment to adjust to if one hasn't heard the recording before. The quartet pieces aren't as tonally tame as Bach or Beethoven but are still quite beautiful and don't demand overly much of the listener. Both contemporary and rigidly classical fans can appreciate these oustanding pieces.

The Cello Sonata in C Major is worth the entire purchase in and of itself. The recording is of absolutely amazing quality, the solo cellist having an excellent idea of both the command and emotive requirement of the piece. The cello sonata is Prokofiev at his most romantic, giving way to long melodious passages written perfectly for the sonority of the instrument. Prokofiev's tell-tale irony and sarcasm are also present in the works later movements and the cello part requires an arsenal of bowing and pizzicato techniques - while still remaining one of the most beautiful, smoothly lyrical prokofiev chamber works available.

For the price, there is absolutely no reason not to buy this CD whether you are a fan of Prokofiev, the string quartet, and most certainly for any cello lover.

5 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Bargain.......2001-12-02

The string quartets offer another delightful facet of versatile Prokofiev, and the cello sonata is very moving. All the playing is superb. You can't go wrong with this one.
Hans Pfitzner: String Quartets, Opp. 13 & 50
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Hans Pfitzner: String Quartets, Opp. 13 & 50

    Manufacturer: Cpo Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by PfitznerAll Works by Pfitzner | Pfitzner, Hans | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000001RT1
    Release Date: 1996-11-05

    Tracks:

    1. Str Qt Op.13 in D: In Massig Gehender Bewegung
    2. Str Qt Op.13 in D: Kraftig Mit Humor
    3. Str Qt Op.13 in D: Sehr Langsam Attacca
    4. Str Qt Op.13 in D: Rondo. Im Heiteren Reigentempo
    5. Str Qt Op.50 in c: Einleitung. Andante Attacca
    6. Str Qt Op.50 in c: Andantino
    7. Str Qt Op.50 in c: Langsam Attacca
    8. Str Qt Op.50 in c: Allegro
    Haydn: String Quartets "Prussian", Op. 50, Nos. 4-6
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Haydn: String Quartets "Prussian", Op. 50, Nos. 4-6

      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 | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      CDs Under $7CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
      CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
      All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
      4-for-3 Classical4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
      4-for-3 All Music4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. Haydn: String Quartets "Prussian", Op. 50, Nos. 1-3
      2. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 71, Nos. 1-3 "Apponyi Quartets"
      3. Haydn: String Quartets Op. 54, Nos. 1-3
      4. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 20 "Sun", Nos. 4-6
      5. Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 55

      ASIN: B00000DHR6
      Release Date: 1998-10-27

      Tracks:

      1. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F-Sharp Minor: Allegro spirituoso
      2. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F-Sharp Minor: Andante
      3. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F-Sharp Minor: Menuetto: Poco allegretto
      4. String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F-Sharp Minor: Finale: Fuga: Allegro moderato
      5. String Quartet Op.50 No.5 In F Major: Allegro moderato
      6. String Quartet Op.50 No.5 In F Major: Poco adagio
      7. String Quartet Op.50 No.5 In F Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
      8. String Quartet Op.50 No.5 In F Major: Finale: Vivace
      9. String Quartet Op.50 No.6 In D Major: Allegro
      10. String Quartet Op.50 No.6 In D Major: Poco adagio
      11. String Quartet Op.50 No.6 In D Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
      12. String Quartet Op.50 No.6 In D Major: Finale: Allegro con spirito
      Haydn: String Quartets Op 64 Nos 1, 3, 6 /Quatuor Mosaiques
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • Another Haydn Triumph For Quatuor Mosaiques
      Haydn: String Quartets Op 64 Nos 1, 3, 6 /Quatuor Mosaiques
      Joseph Haydn , Quatuor Mosaiques , Anita Mitterer , Erich Hobarth , Andrea Bischof , and Christophe Coin
      Manufacturer: Astree
      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
      Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. Haydn: String Quartets Op 64 Nos 2, 4, 5 /Quatuor Mosaiques
      2. Haydn: String Quartets Op. 76
      3. Beethoven: String Quartets Opus 18 Nos 1 & 4 /Quatuor Mosaiques
      4. Haydn: String Quartets Op 77 /Quatuor Mosaiques
      5. Haydn: String Quartets Op 20 /Quatuor Mosaïques

      ASIN: B0000C8WXL
      Release Date: 2004-01-20

      Tracks:

      1. Allegro
      2. Andante
      3. Menuetto (Allegretto)
      4. Finale - Presto
      5. Adagio
      6. Menuetto (Allegretto)
      7. Menuetto Allegretto
      8. Finale (Allegro Con Spirito)
      9. Allegro Moderato
      10. Menuetto (Allegro Ma Non Troppo)
      11. Allegro Scherzando
      12. Finale - Presto

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Another Haydn Triumph For Quatuor Mosaiques.......2007-05-28

      The QM was formerly know by me as having recorded the definitive edition of Haydn's op. 20, beating out even the Mighty Kodaly Quartet on those pieces. This set is quite excellent as well.

      If you are looking for the perfect introduction to Haydn's op.64, look no further. The recording is terrific (with plenty of bass and midrange when needed). The performance is typical of the Quatuor Mosaiques: that means it is pristine.

      Music Track:

      1. Suite Bwv 997 / Chaconne
      2. Symbiosis
      3. Tavener: Fall and Resurrection
      4. The Art of Robert Bloom: Chamber Music, Vol. 2
      5. The Art of Robert Bloom: Music for Oboe and Strings, Vol. 1
      6. though love be a day / American Celebration Duo
      7. ...to arrive where we started
      8. Tropical Moonlight/Cuban Moonlight
      9. Xenakis: Thalleïn; Aïs
      10. Yehuda Yannay: Hidden Melodies

      Music Track

      music track

      Recommended Music:

      Never Never Never//Good Bad But Beautiful [Original recording remastered] [Import]

      The Fiorentino Edition 5: J.S. Bach, Volume 2

      Tod Machover: Hyperstring Trilogy

      Music: Cello en Mexico

      Best of the 70's: Hits of 1977

      This Is the Best of Ibiza [Box set] [Import]

      The Frogs / Evening Primrose (2001 Studio Cast) [Cast Recording]

      Tchaikovsky: "Pathetique"/Ouverture Solennelle "1812"

      The Best of the RCA Years: Hits and Rarities [Import]

      Soundings

      The Soundtrack [Soundtrack]

      Sunset Dance

      Sones Guajiras Son Montuno

      A Tribute to Eric Clapton

      The Big Gundown: John Zorn Plays the Music of Ennio Morricone