The Op. 50 are nicknamed the 'Prussian' quartets. They were written for the king of Prussia, who was a cellist. The cello part is written accordingly, including opening the first quartet on its own (Rosen sees the simplicity of its opening as a joke on not taxing the royal abilities - take it or leave it). Written 5 years after the op. 33, these works follow in their footsteps, though they are more expansive in some ways.
As always, please comment on the works, recordings etc.
My favorite set is the one by the Tokyo Quartet (DG), recorded in 1974&76. The CD issue is unfortunately quite rare (mine is from the LPs - which are not rare).
I can also recommend the set that The Tátrai Quartet made for Hungaroton, (P) 1994. Amazon.com doesn't have it, but copies should be locatable.
Thanks Hilltroll, I shall probably look out for those. I have never got on with the op. 50, and for the time being I'm putting it down to the performers rather than the pieces.
I have the same difficulty with Haydn in general--namely, choosing which of his works are favorites. Haydn is the composer to whom I most frequently return, almost daily. String quartets, symphonies, piano trios, masses, operas, piano sonatas. There's just something about Haydn's works that have an unceasing appeal: no matter how many times I've listened to a work, I never tire of it. The piano sonatas have featured very much in my own playing repertoire lately, as well.
There are so many good recordings of these quartets, all different, and all well worth having. The music is so wonderful it has brought out the best from musicians. Even the Festetics are excellent here, as are the Tatrai and the Amati. I haven't heard theTokyo play op 50 though I know they have a good reputation.
Hah. Thanks for mentioning the Festetics; I wondered if they had recorded this opus. The Mosaïques did too, to some acclaim. My HIP-indoctrinated friends have complained for years that the Apponyi did not.
I like no.4 in F#, if ever it got a nickname then surely it will go popular, as the later 'Dream' and 'Frog'... . Wonderful Opus of string quartet to have.
I remember hearing the fuga in the F# minor quartet for the first time - I knew the fugue was more of a baroque technique and was fascinated by how well Haydn put it into the context of a classical string quartet. I then went on to hear all the fugue finales in Op. 20 and was impressed by these as well.
No. 3 -- The outer movements make me grin and jump around.
I highly recommend the Prazak Quartet disc of 3, 5, & 6. Wonderful sound and spirit. It's pricey on Amazon but I got mine at the Berkshire Record Outlet for a discount price.
I voted for the B Flat because of its harmonies. So proggresive you'd think its an 1850 work. But 'The Dream' came in close second, I can't believe no one voted for it!
BTW, great performances of all the Haydn quartets can be heard from the 'Attaca' quartet. Just look them up on Youtube.
My favorite ( at present) is Op.50/3 by the Prazak Quartet. Also I would say Op.50/1 by the Kodaly Quartet, and Op.50/6 by the Prazak Quartet would get high marks from me.
The Nomos-Quartett has an excellent recording of the Op. 50 quartets - a very clean, harmonious quartet sound.
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