The six String Quartets op.33, though known as the ‘Russian Quartets’ in reference to their dedicatee the Grand Duke of Russia and future Tsar Paul I, in fact have much more to in common with Austrian folk music and comic opera. Almost ten years after the extreme intensity of his op.20, Haydn shows his wit and good humour in these works featuring scherzos, written ‘in a new and special way’. This title was released for the first time in 2009.
JOSEPH HAYDN [1732-1809] String Quartet op.33/1, Hob.III:37, in B minor · I. Allegro moderato (6'48) · II. Scherzo. Allegro di molto (2'03) · III. Andante (7'25) · IV. Finale. Presto (5'02) String Quartet op.33/2, Hob.III:38, in E flat major, "The Joke" · I. Allegro moderato cantabile (6'59) · II. Scherzo. Allegro (3'31) · III. Largo sostenuto (4'35) · IV. Finale. Presto (3'10) String Quartet op.33/3, Hob.III:39, in C major, "The Bird" · I. Allegro moderato (8'28) · II. Scherzo. Allegretto (2'34) · III. Adagio (5'06) · IV. Rondo. Presto (2'37)
String Quartet op.33/4, Hob.III:40, in B flat major · I. Allegro moderato (6'15) · II. Scherzo. Allegretto (1'49) · III. Largo (3'51) · IV. Finale. Presto (4'26) String Quartet op.33/5, Hob.III:41, in G major · I. Vivace assai (5'37) · II. Largo cantabile (3'50) · III. Scherzo. Allegro (2'48) · IV. Finale. Allegretto (3'33) String Quartet op.33/6, Hob.III:42, in D major · I. Vivace assai (6'34) · II. Andante (4'06) · III. Scherzo. Allegro (2'00) · IV. Finale. Allegretto (3'33)
