Track Listing

1. Allegro Con Spirito
2. Adagio
3. Menuetto: Allegro
4. Finale: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
5. Allegretto - Allegro
6. Largo Cantabile E Mesto
7. Menuetto: Allegro
8. Finale: Presto
9. Allegretto - Allegro
10. Fantasia: Adagio
11. Menuetto: Presto
12. Finale: Allegro Spirituoso

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42520 in Music
• Released on: 1997-07-31
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds
• Running time: 69 minutes

Customer Reviews

Best of the Best
I certainly agree with the other reviewer on this page: With the possible addition of Op. 77 No. 1, the three quartets on this Naxos CD represent the greatest, and most appealing, quartet music that Haydn produced. And that's saying a lot because there are many other treasures among Haydn's string quartets.

Finest of all is the "Fifths Quartet," so called because of the first violinist's widely spaced intervals at the start of the first movement. Haydn is not always congenial when he writes in the minor key, but here he creates a movement of great drama and energy that is unique in his oeuvre. The other movements are just as fine, especially the remarkable canonic scherzo, a bewitching witches' dance.

But then the other quartets are no also-rans. The "Emperor" features lovely variations on Haydn's own hymn to the emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire ("Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken") and a last movement of great dash and sparkle. And the "Sunrise" has that wonderfully evocative rising figure at the beginning of the movement that gave the quartet its name.

The Kodaly Quartet, as throughout their Haydn cycle, show they are to the manner born. They caress those lovely variations with a much tenderness, then throw themselves with great abandon into the fiery "Fifths" quartet. All of which makes for just about the best performances of these quartets on disc. Naxos adds a warm yet clear and detailed recording to top off a highly distinguished release.

Brilliantly performed Haydn string quartets!
This CD contains the last three of Joseph Haydn's "Erdody" string quartets, Op. 76. (The quartets were named for Count Erdody, to whom Haydn dedicated them.) Many musicologists consider the "Erdody" quartets to be the finest of the 83 Haydn composed during his long life, and the Kodaly Quartet validates that consideration with superbly warm, enthusiastic, and poetic performances. Throughout the three quartets, Haydn's marvelously infectious optimism and sunny disposition are readily evident. Especially enjoyable is the beginning of Op. 76 No. 4, which begins very softly and builds to a crescendo that gives the musical impression of a sunrise (hence the quartet's nickname - "Sunrise.")

The engineering and sound quality of this CD are excellent. The balance between four members of the quartet is nearly perfect, giving the performances a wonderful sense of realism and immediacy. The acoustics of the recording venue are warm and spacious.

Awarded a "rosette" by the Penguin Guide to Compact Discs, (the "rosette" is the Penguin Guide's the highest accolade, given to a recording of special distinction.) this CD is a special listening experience in every way. Highly recommended!