I know if I like something from the first two minutes.
And I like this.
Haydn String Quartet Op. 71 No. 1 in B Flat is terrific from the get-go. I don’t know why.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Same holds true for any kind of music. There’s not really an objectively good piece of music. Whether or not someone likes it depends on the person’s unique tastes, preferences. (Although I’m sure a few of Mozart’s compositions would be considered splendid by most people.)
Many of the things I’ve listened to in the last 88 days that I didn’t particularly care for, I’m sure were much loved by others.
Today’s first composition (Op. 71 No. 1) is just one of those things that I happen to like. Movement I (“Allegro”) is truly a lively, fascinating allegro. It’s the perfect way to begin Op. 71 No. 1.
Movement II (“Adagio”) slows things down a bit. But it’s still intricate and interesting enough to hold my attention.
Movement III (“Menuet: Allegretto”), oddly enough, isn’t a typical Haydn Menuet. It’s slower and less rondo-like than others I’ve heard. But it picks up around the 1:55 mark. That’s when the violins start their playful dance, weaving in and around the cello and viola. The latter part of this movement is better than the former.
Movement IV (“Finale: Vivace”) is as lively and wonderful as any finale could want to be. This is one of my Favorite Haydn String Quartets.
Now would be a good time to say that Op. 71 and Op. 74 are called the “Apponyi” quartets and they were composed in 1793, which means Haydn was 61. Why are these called the Apponyi quartets? Good question. Let’s see if Google can help.
What I did discover is this quote from Mozart:
“It was from Haydn that I first learned the true way to compose Quartets.”
– W. A. Mozart
Way cool.
Okay. Back to Appponyi. What or who is it?
Found it, on a web site of the G. Henle Verlag publishers, who wrote:
Haydn dedicated the series of Quartets op. 71 and 74 to the Hungarian Count Apponyi, a Viennese patron of music and a freemason friend. Haydn composed them when he was enjoying a great deal of success with his “London Symphonies” in England. With their weighty slow introductions and dense movements focusing on sound, they also have symphonic characteristics. In particular the Quartet in g minor op. 74,3 is striking on account of its expressiveness and originality. Due to the rhythmic drive of the outer movements it was give the epithet “Rider Quartet”. This study edition complements the parts of the “Apponyi Quartets” which are already available in Henle Urtext; a new preface by Christin Heitmann provides insightful background information.
Haydn String Quartet Op. 71 No. 2 in D opens with another delightfully lively first moment (“Adagio – Allegro”) that also drew me in, but not as quickly as Movement I of No. 1.
Movement II (“Adagio”) is a little too adagio for my tastes. It drags.
Movement III (“Menuet: Allegro”) is sprightly. Very Menuet. Still, this isn’t one of my favorites.
Movement IV (“Finale: Allegretto – Allegro”) is a fitting finale for this piece. But it doesn’t add to my appreciation for it as a whole.
So far, I prefer No. 1 to No. 2. (For whatever that’s worth.)
Haydn String Quartet Op. 71 No. 3 in E Flat opens with a nice vivace Movement I that is reminiscent of the movement that opens No. 1. It’s not as engrossing. But it sounds very Classic.
Movement II (“Andante con moto”) needs more moto. Or more andante. It’s quite slow, ponderously so. There’s some nice violin work in this movement, which I think saves it. But it’s a little too ponderous for me.
Movement III (“Menuet’) is stately, like something one would hear at a formal ball back in the late 1700s. I can picture the powdered wigs and long satin dresses now.
Movement IV (“Finale: Vivace”) is pleasant. But not earth shattering.
Hands down, my favorite composition on today’s CD is No. 1
As I have in previous posts, I can’t forget to introduce the members of the Buchberger Quartet (their site is in German):
Hubert Buchberger violin
Julia Greve violin
Joachim Etzel viola
Helmut Sohler cello
The other players in the quartet do not have their own web sites, apparently. So, no link to them. Sorry.
Here’s what I listened to today:
Haydn String Quartet Op. 71 No. 1 in B Flat
Haydn String Quartet Op. 71 No. 2 in D
Haydn String Quartet Op. 71 No. 3 in E Flat