Our Summer BAL no 35: Haydn String Quartets op 76

[aeolium]

I would be interested in MBers' opinions on their preferred recordings (or indeed individual quartet recordings) of this, perhaps my favourite of all sets of string quartets. There are a number of HIPP recordings as well as on modern instruments but sadly few historical recordings of the complete set of op 76 - perhaps the Budapest Quartet's recording in the 1950s being the oldest complete one, shortly followed by the Fine Arts, the Aeolian (part of their major Haydn quartet project) and the Amadeus, though these are barely recordings that people would usually call historical as they mainly post-dated the arrival of stereo. There are fine recordings of individual quartets by the Hungarian, the Lener and the Belgian Pro Arte quartet (whose recordings of the Emperor and the Sunrise are available on the Pristine Classical website) but it is only relatively recently that the quartets have attracted the attention of a good number of ensembles. I attempt to list, in no particular order, the recordings I know of here but I'm sure that there will be omissions:

Angeles
Aeolian
Amadeus
Alberni
Alban Berg
Lindsay
Tatrai
Takacs
Buchberger
Quatuor Mosaiques
Eder
Auryn
Festetics
Kodaly
Fine Arts
Tokyo
Prazak
Quatuor Elysee
Wilanow
Budapest

Mention should also be made of the Quartetto Italiano's recordings of three of the quartets, the Quinten, the Emperor and the Sunrise (op 76 nos 2-4), and it is to be regretted that - AFAIK - this ensemble did not record all the quartets in the set.

Each quartet in this set has an entirely different character, yet full of invention and surprise and, in the slow movements of the last two quartets, exploring new regions of key modulation rare in the classical quartet hitherto. My favourite of the set is the last in E-flat, with its variation-and-fugue opening movement, the fantasia slow movement and a finale full of rhythmic unpredictability, beautifully brought out in the Takacs recording.

I like the comment of Hans Keller in his book on the Haydn quartets, that the old man was uniting three human ages in these works: "the broad, simplifying wisdom of old age presided over the continuing, overflowing invention, over the impetuosity and the invariably rebellious creative attitude of youth as well as over the comprehensive complexities of middle age: in his extended, climactic final period he had it three ways".

[HighlandDougie]

I'm not sure why there should have been such a silence, as there has been quite a lot of discussion earlier of the merits (and demerits) of various sets. Many thanks, Aeolium, both for going to the trouble of creating a list and for starting a discussion on these wonderful quartets. It's always a real pleasure to find any of them on a concert programme. For me, the slow movement of No 5 is one of those rare pieces of music of breath-holding beauty and simplicity. When I worked at Manchester University and we gave the Lindsays honorary degrees, I was delighted when the 5th was included in the programme of the concert they gave after the ceremony. I have the Lindsays (live, I think) and the Quatuor Mosaïques but would be very happy to explore further recordings.

[verismissimo]

Thanks from me too, aeo, for flagging up this wonderful set. I've had the Aeolians set for several decades and various individual works by the Lindsays, who for a long time were the living ideal in Haydn, it seemed to me.

I'd very much like to acquire something more HIP now - but what? I don't really fancy the Mozaiques - wasn't mad about their Mozart set.

Recommendations...?

[rauschwerk]

Perhaps many of us have (like me) only the one recording of these quartets and are in no position to make any comparisons. I find the Lindsays entirely satisfying, my only reservation being the over-reverberant recording. I would be very interested if the Chiaroscuro quartet recorded them, but feel that that is unlikely.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I'm not sure why there should have been such a silence, as there has been quite a lot of discussion earlier of the merits (and demerits) of various sets.

In my case because there are so many recordings that are so splendid, I wouldn't know how to make a choice. I, too, first heard these works in performances by the Lindsays, so I have a special fondness for their recording that appeared on ASV Quicksilva (I haven't heard their later, Live version, also for ASV). The first recordings I heard were the Aeolians (great set) 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).

In short, these great works respond well to a variety of different readings, and this is a matter for rejoicing that there are so many excellent performances on record. I'd be interested to hear any opinions about the Amadeus set - I've never really taken to their sound, and my prejudice suggests that their treacly vibrato would suffocate Haydn's agile Music. Delighted if anyone would offer a contrary view.

[aeolium]

Actually I wasn't really expecting anyone to come up with a detailed comparison of several complete sets (though feel free if anyone can do) but just wanted to hear experiences of recordings of any of the works. I tend to feel, with sets of masterworks like these, that it isn't likely that any one set would be outstanding in every one of the quartets and so - unlike in a conventional BaL - there might be a different "winner" for each quartet. But that's just my view.

Re HIPP versions, there is also the Festetics Quartet. I agree that the Kodaly Quartet set is very good (and their op 64 recordings) as are those quartets I have heard from the Takacs. The Lindsays are very good in the D Major op 76 no 5. I would like to hear opinions about the Tatrai (now almost a historical recording as it was made I think in the 1960s) and the Prazak, and the recently-recorded Auryn set.

[umslopogaas]

Strangely, since I have the Aeolian Quartet playing all of the others that they recorded, I dont have them playing this set. The only version I have is an ancient Qualiton LP set by the Tatrai Quartet. I must have thought it worth keeping, but I cant remember what it sounds like.

(Accent over the first a of Tatrai, but I dont know where to find it here).

[Padraig]

I envy those who can recall instantly a work or set of works just like that. But I'm glad to be asked such a question, as Haydn Quartets were once a great passion - I wanted them all and made a good stab at collecting them. I have to say that not having much access to good shops, and no internet shopping available, I lurked on Radio 3, Radio Times at hand, and over a considerable period from the 70s I recorded on cassette tape almost all the Quartets of Joseph Haydn, certainly from Opus 20 onwards.
The Opus 76 set I see from my old notes has, in order, Medici, Janacek, Alban Berg, Allegri, Lindsays and Amadeus.
On CD I have The Lindsays and Tacáks Quartet.
I remember loving all of them at the time, but I now have a good reason to dig them out and renew my acquaintance. My listening now is mostly on CD, and is almost entirely Bach.

[umslopogaas]

Padraig, I wish I had such a facility of instant recall, but I'm afraid all I do is go and look on the shelves. I still have pretty much every LP or CD I ever bought and I just go and look under H for Haydn and see what's there. Seven and a half thousand LPs do take up a lot of shelf space, but providing I can remember the alphabet, I can usually find what I'm looking for.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Somehow I feel with Haydn quartets, more than any other works, it's important to hear them as often as possible, preferably live, and not to seek one set that's 'best'.

The recordings of the complete Op76 on my shelves are Aeolian on LP, Kodaly on CD, plus the Tokyo (CD) as a recent s/h purchase. But stick on just about any set and enjoy!

(That said I certainly wouldn't rush to grab the 'standard' DG Amadeus set. I heard quite a lot of their similar sets of Beethoven and Mozart as a student in the 70s and generally loathed them, a reaction reinforced by a really violent allergy to their D887, then the only available recording That said, I did buy recently the cheapo-cheapo box set of their HMV mono recordings, and confess to having enjoyed their Haydn. No examples from Op76 though.)

[EdgeleyRob]

I only have the Aeolian,as part of the complete quartets box,Op 76 sounds great to me.
Having given up on breakfast and in tune,for the past few months my drive to and from work listening has consisted of nothing but Haydn.
Someone suggested on here that a Haydn quartet every day is good for the soul,so i tried it,and can say that it is.
I've been working my way through the quartets,symphonies and piano trios,try it !

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Having given up on breakfast and in tune,for the past few months my drive to and from work listening has consisted of nothing but Haydn.
Someone suggested on here that a Haydn quartet every day is good for the soul,so i tried it,and can say that it is.

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.

I've been working my way through the quartets,symphonies and piano trios,try it !

- 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.

[Bryn]

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). That said, I eagerly await the London Haydn Quartet getting round to recording this set. For a HI set on instruments with a modern set-up, I have a lot of time for the Buchbergers, and wow, are they a bargain, if not quite that which they were when we last discussed them here.

[LeMartinPecheur]

For a HI set on instruments with a modern set-up, I have a lot of time for the Buchbergers, and wow, are they a bargain, if not quite that which they were when we last discussed them here.

£50-odd from the river-people themselves but £30-odd from several Marketplace sellers. Am almost tempted myself but still have the Hogwood symphonies box to digest!

[CallMePaul]

(Accent over the first a of Tatrai, but I dont know where to find it here).

AltGr plus any vowel puts an acute accent over the vowel. It also inverts question and exclamation marks and in some programs puts the tilde over an n - but not in this one(I've just tried!). So, Tátrai.