String Quartet No. 1 in B flat major ('La chasse'), Op. 1/1, H. 3/1: Presto
String Quartet No. 1 in B flat major ('La chasse'), Op. 1/1, H. 3/1: Minuet
String Quartet No. 1 in B flat major ('La chasse'), Op. 1/1, H. 3/1: Adagio
String Quartet No. 1 in B flat major ('La chasse'), Op. 1/1, H. 3/1: Minuet
String Quartet No. 1 in B flat major ('La chasse'), Op. 1/1, H. 3/1: Finale: Presto
String Quartet No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 1/2, H. 3/2: Allegro molto
String Quartet No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 1/2, H. 3/2: Minuet
String Quartet No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 1/2, H. 3/2: Adagio
String Quartet No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 1/2, H. 3/2: Minuet
String Quartet No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 1/2, H. 3/2: Finale: Presto
String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 1/3 (H. 3/3): Adagio
String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 1/3 (H. 3/3): Minuet
String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 1/3 (H. 3/3): Scherzo: Presto
String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 1/3 (H. 3/3): Menuet
String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 1/3 (H. 3/3): Finale: Presto
String Quartet No. 4 in G major, Op. 1/4, H. 3/4: Presto
String Quartet No. 4 in G major, Op. 1/4, H. 3/4: Minuet
String Quartet No. 4 in G major, Op. 1/4, H. 3/4: Adagio ma non tanto
String Quartet No. 4 in G major, Op. 1/4, H. 3/4: Minuet
String Quartet No. 4 in G major, Op. 1/4, H. 3/4: Finale: Presto
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 ... more »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« less
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
William J. Mertens | Bethesda, MD USA | 06/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."