Marvellous Haydn Quartets
Posted by: Gerontius' Dream on 25 July 2008
I know there have been many other threads about Joseph Haydn's string quartets, but I have just acquired the complete set, in the performances by the Aeolian Quartet (on the original Argo vinyl) and feel I must enthuse about them!
The discs are as good as new and the recordings excellent, as one expected from Decca in those days (70s). So far I have listened only to Op. 76 (which I already knew from the Kodaly Quartet recordings) and Opp. 71 and 74 which I did not previously know.
What marvellous music it is! As easy to listen to as you could want, but at the same time with tremendous depth and feeling. I cannot imagine the famous variations from the "Emperor" quartet played better, and the "Rider" quartet is a real "surprise".
It is obviously going to take a long time to get to know them all, but I am looking forward to many hours of pleasure, and observing the progress of Haydn's music from the earliest publications to his very last works.
The Aeolian may not be so well known as some other quartets, but on the evidence of these records they were first class. I went to one of their concerts in London many years ago and found them very impressive, and they made a speciality of Haydn.
The discs are as good as new and the recordings excellent, as one expected from Decca in those days (70s). So far I have listened only to Op. 76 (which I already knew from the Kodaly Quartet recordings) and Opp. 71 and 74 which I did not previously know.
What marvellous music it is! As easy to listen to as you could want, but at the same time with tremendous depth and feeling. I cannot imagine the famous variations from the "Emperor" quartet played better, and the "Rider" quartet is a real "surprise".
It is obviously going to take a long time to get to know them all, but I am looking forward to many hours of pleasure, and observing the progress of Haydn's music from the earliest publications to his very last works.
The Aeolian may not be so well known as some other quartets, but on the evidence of these records they were first class. I went to one of their concerts in London many years ago and found them very impressive, and they made a speciality of Haydn.