Haydn’s claim to the title of ‘father of the string quartet’ is rarely, if ever, disputed. From his opp. 1 and 2 onwards the ensemble takes up a significant part of his musical output (he wrote sixty-eight of them in all) thus establishing the ensemble of two violins, a viola and a cello as one of the most important standard groups of classical music.

The composer also presided over the transformation of the quartet from a private, player-centred art form to a public music written for concert hall and for the enjoyment of an audience.

Here, to illustrate that transition, are two of the composer’s most famous works for the ensemble: Op. 33, No. 3 in C (aka ‘The Bird’) and Op. 76, No. 3 also in C (aka ‘The Emperor’):

0.00 Allegro moderato
6:43 SCHERZO. Allegretto
9:05 Adagio
14:38 FINALE. Rondo – Presto

Score

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0:00 – Allegro

6:57 – Poco adagio: Cantabile
8:09 – Var. 1
9:16 – Var. 2
10:26 – Var. 3
11:37 – Var. 4

13:22 – Minuetto

17:48 – Finale: Presto