Our Summer BAL no 35: Haydn String Quartets op 76

[CallMePaul]

In the pre-Breakfast days, Andrew MacGregor played all the Haydn quartets (and symphonies!) on the early morning show. Too much like hard work for Roger Wright's ears or Petroc's and Clemency's attention spans to do this now! Andrew chose a wide range of styles from pre-war historic performances to HIP on period instruments. He started with op1/1 and worked chronologically to op103.

My own favourites among Haydn interpreters are the LIndsays and Tátrai, or the Salomon for period performances. The Alban Berg Quartet has only recorded a few but they are also well worth a listen!

[verismissimo]

When I come to the end of my Bach Cantata cycle (about this time next year) this is exactly what I intend to do - one a week, every day with breakfast.


- but don't forget the Choral works, too, Edgey. Perhaps not with breakfast, though. I'm sure someone'll add the operas, and BeefO would also recommend the Baryton Trios.

And the piano sonatas, Edgey! Essential listening!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

And the piano sonatas, Edgey! Essential listening!

<doh> Of course!

[rauschwerk]

And the piano sonatas, Edgey! Essential listening!

Now there I disagree. The very last one certainly is, and a handful of others are well worth your attention. The rest, many of which were written for teaching purposes, won't tell you anything about Haydn that you won't know from the quartets and symphonies. The F minor Variations, however, are the work of a genius.

[rauschwerk]

...the Kodalys on NAXOS, which is also a wonderful set...

I began with the Kodaly recordings, but as soon as I heard the Lindsays I could tell that they were on another plane altogether. My advice: don't buy the Kodaly discs unless you can't afford anything better.

[kea]

My reference is the Takacs, which is practically perfect in every way, and I have found myself increasingly enjoying the Buchbergers, who take a highly willful but convincing approach. The Mosaïques are highly praised but I'm not a fan (apart from their Op. 20 which is unsurpassed)—for HIP the Salomon Quartet's probably the best choice, if you can find it.

[HighlandDougie]

I think those looking for something in the HIPP category might well find the Festetics up their street, (if you can find their set, that is).

Just done so on e-bay (and in France, too). £16 for the 3 disc set of Op 76, Op 77, Op 103 seemed like a bargain. Much looking forward to hearing this as, on re-listening, the Mosaïques can be a bit dour - and their tone a touch uningratiating.

[EdgeleyRob]

And the piano sonatas, Edgey! Essential listening!

Yes of course verismissimo,forgot to mention these in post #11,they are included too

[EdgeleyRob]

When I come to the end of my Bach Cantata cycle (about this time next year) this is exactly what I intend to do - one a week, every day with breakfast.


- but don't forget the Choral works, too, Edgey. Perhaps not with breakfast, though. I'm sure someone'll add the operas, and BeefO would also recommend the Baryton Trios.

Choral works,yes Ferney,but I ain't got any Haydn operas or baryton trios.

[verismissimo]

Choral works,yes Ferney,but I ain't got any Haydn operas or baryton trios.

Operas full of wonderful music, well recorded by Dorati. Not sure they work well on stage.

Never cracked the baryton trios in spite of my devotion to JH.

[BBMmk2]

Choral works,yes Ferney,but I ain't got any Haydn operas or baryton trios.

Me neither, not my cuppa.

[MickyD]

Operas full of wonderful music, well recorded by Dorati. Not sure they work well on stage.

Never cracked the baryton trios in spite of my devotion to JH.

I have now listened to all 21 CDs of the Baryton trios, and they are wonderful.

[richardfinegold]

I own sets by the Tokyo and Kodaly Quartets. No clear favorite.

[verismissimo]

... and the first I actually bought were the Kodalys on NAXOS, which is also a wonderful set, and I've just bought the Buchbergers (not got to Op76 yet) who are also quite exceptionally good (HIPP-influenced - might well tick all veris' requirements)...

On ferney's (and others') recommendations, I've been buying piecemeal (and very cheaply) both the Kodalys and the Buchbergers. Quite different from each other, but both outstanding, IMO. Thanks!

[visualnickmos]

On ferney's (and others') recommendations, I've been buying piecemeal (and very cheaply) both the Kodalys and the Buchbergers. Quite different from each other, but both outstanding, IMO. Thanks!

I only know the Kodalys, and yes - outstanding, and really well-recorded as well. I don't have the earlier Haydn SQs, though, but almost all of the later ones.