Yesterday, I discovered that the music on Haydn CDs 84 and 85 (which constitutes Op. 33 Nos 1-6) is called the “Russian” quartets and that these compositions likely made their debut on Christmas Day, 1781.
Serendipitously, I am listening to these quartets nearly 282 years later to the day.
I hadn’t planned it that way.
When I started listening to the complete works of Haydn on October 1, 2013, I had no clue that 85 days later I’d be listening to quartets Haydn premiered over two and a half centuries ago.
But, here it is, 9:09pm (Eastern Time) on Christmas Eve, 2013. It is already Christmas Day in Europe. I’m sipping a 2011 German Riesling and listening to Haydn’s quartets.
Haydn String Quartet Op. 33 No. 3 in C (nickname: “The Bird”)
According to the Wiki article on Haydn’s Op. 33,
The first movement opens with a melody in the first violin featuring repeated notes. Grace notes are inserted between the repeated notes which gives the melody a “birdlike quality” and hence gives the quartet its nickname.
Movement I (“Allegro moderato”) is a slow way to start tonight’s CD, especially after the build-up I gave it in my mind. A little slower than I usually like. Movement II (“Scherzo: Allegretto”) and Movement III (“Adagio, ma non troppo”) weren’t much peppier. But Movement IV (“Rondo: Presto”) saved Op. 33 No. 3. My wife, listening from the kitchen, said, “I didn’t know Haydn was that vigorous. Is he always like that?”
“Well, he’s Haydn,” I replied, taking a knowing sip of my Riesling. “So, he’s pretty good.”
“Pretty good,” my wife scoffed. “Pretty good.”
“Okay,” I corrected. “He’s great. He’s the father of symphonies.”
“That’s more like it,” she said, and returned to her present wrapping.
By the way, before I go any farther, there’s a Wiki article about the Op. 33 quartets. Interesting stuff, too. Take a look:
The Op. 33 String Quartets were written by Joseph Haydn in the summer and Autumn of 1781 for the Viennese publisher Artaria. This set of quartets has several nicknames, the most common of which is the “Russian” quartets, because Haydn dedicated the quartets to the Grand Duke Paul of Russia and many (if not all) of the quartets were premiered on Christmas Day, 1781, at the Viennese apartment of the Duke’s wife, the Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna.
I hate to interrupt things again. But, there’s an Italian word that’ll be used a few times tonight: Scherzo. Here’s its definition, from the article about it on Wiki:
A scherzo (plural scherzos or scherzi) is a piece of music, often a movement from a larger piece such as a symphony or a sonata. The scherzo’s precise definition has varied over the years, but it often refers to a movement which replaces the minuet as the third movement in a four-movement work, such as a symphony, sonata, or string quartet. Scherzo also frequently refers to a fast-moving humorous composition which may or may not be part of a larger work.
The word “scherzo” means “a joke”; “a jest”; “a play” in Italian is related to the same-root verb: scherzare (“to joke”. “to jest”; “to play”)
Now, back to my listening…
Haydn String Quartet Op 33. No. 6 in D
Movement I (“Vivace assai”) is a sprightly way to begin Op. 33 No. 6. It’s a lively movement with lots of terrific violin work from Hubert Buchberger and Julia Greve. Lots of “sawing away,” as my wife puts it.
Movement II (“Andante”) is a little too andante for my tastes. It slows things down a little too much after the boisterous “Vivace assai” opening.
Movement III (“Scherzo: Allegretto”) manages to pick up the pace a little with its bouncy opening. Very nice cello work from Helmut Sohler.
Movement IV (“Finale: Allegretto”) doesn’t elevate No. 6 in D to the level where I’d consider it a favorite, or even one I’d listen to again.
Haydn String Quartet Op. 33 No. 4 in B Flat
Movement I (“Allegro moderato”) is nicely layered in an ask-and-answer way with the violins calling out, and the viola and cello responding. Lots of vigorous violin work, and subdued cello playing to give it a stately underpinning.
Movement II (“Scherzo: Allegretto”), meh. It’s okay.
Movement III (“Largo”) was delicate and sedate. And intricately crafted. But, aside from the intriguing cello work about a minute and a half into it (and at the very end), I wasn’t moved by this movement. I noticed its construction, and thought it cool. But I don’t think I’ll listen to it again.
Movement IV (“Presto”), on the other hand, was extremely brisk. Amazing violin work. Lots of “sawing away,” to use my wife’s phrase. Incredibly labyrinthine twists and turns. The violinist players’ fingers must have been sore after that one. The brief pizzicato at the very end of this movement was a nice surprise, lots of fun.
Op. 33 has been a nice Christmas surprise, courtesy of either Joseph Haydn, or the fine folks at Brilliant Classics who compiled these selections and arranged them in this order.
Haydn was 49 years old when his Op. 33 quartets debuted. I’m slightly older than he was. But if he’s anything like me, the spring is a little less evident in his step and he’s already sick to freakin’ death of winter. But, then again, he’s Haydn, a musical genius. So I doubt he’s sitting around feeling sorry for himself.
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.
There’s one more composition on today’s CD.
Haydn String Quartet Op. 42 In D Minor
Op. 42 was composed in 1784. Haydn was 52 (close to my age).
This string quartet is very bright, heavy on the violins, lots of notes in the upper register, especially in Movement II (“Menuet”). I usually enjoy a good Menuet, and this was a good Menuet. So, I enjoyed it.
Movement III (“Adagio e cantabile”) retarded the tempo too much for my tastes, although this was another nice violin showcase.
It’s Movement IV (“Finale: Presto”) that steals the show in this string quartet, and maybe in the entire CD. It’s just extremely lively, invigorating.
Here’s what I listened to this evening:
String Quartet Op. 33 No. 3 in C
String Quartet Op 33. No. 6 in D
String Quartet Op. 33 No. 4 in B Flat
String Quartet Op. 42 in D Minor
And, by the way, Merry Christmas!