Product Description These quartets date from 1793 and were written when Haydn returned home to Vienna after a visit to London which had cemented his international fame as a composer and public figure. The composer wrote a set of six string quartets for Count Anton Apponyi, a chamberlain at the Imperial Court. The set was broken up into two groups of three and sold to separate publishers, thus becoming the Op 71 and Op 74 Quartets, both released this month by the acclaimed Takacs Quartet. The quartets possess an orchestral sonority, and the frequent modulations, dynamic variations and increasingly virtuosic writing can be derived from elements of the six London Symphonies. They demonstrate the composers astonishing elegance, lyricism and his immense skill in fusing the profound with the light-hearted. In these compelling interpretations the Takacs Quartet display an absolute unanimity of tone and style and cement their reputation as one of todays greatest string quartets. Review 'Takács Quartet delivers these works with commanding verve and style, often casting novel perspectives on pieces which deserve to be far better known than they actually are … Op 71 No 2 has at its heart one of the most radiant Adagio slow movements to be found among Haydn's later quartets … and it is played here with exceptionally beautiful tone and unerring refinement by the Takács Quartet' --GramophoneCD OF THE WEEK Haydn string quartets,Opp 71 and 74 Takacs Qt Hyperion CDA67793/67781(2 separate discs) Two decades have passed since this great, originally all-Hungarian ensemble released recordings of Haydn's late quartets on Decca; the six of Op76,three of Op77,and the single, unfinished fragment Op103.Now, with a new record company, and after several changes of personnel- the second violinist, karoly Schranz, and the cellist, Andras Fejer, remain constants-they appear to be working their way backwards through the father of the strng quartet's oeuvre for the medium.Written between Haydn's two visits to London, opuses 71 and 74 were destined for public performance by the quartet led by Johann Peter Salomon,the man who brought the great Viennese composer to the British capital an commissioned his astonishing series of London symphonies. Each if these brilliant works, which show Haydn at the peak of his powers as both artist and entertainer, begins with a sit up and listen motif-and,like Mozart's great set of six quartets dedicated to Haydn, they were conceived to please connoisseurs and amateurs alike. Now led by the Englishman Edward Dusinberre-who relishes the virtuosity Haydn demanded of Saloman the Takacs play this ever-suprising music with their characteristic imagination, contrapuntal rigour,sensitivity to texture and colour, and, in the dizzying finales, wit. They are the epitome of Goethe's four intelligent conversationalists, always fresh in their response to Haydn's astonishing inventiveness. --Sunday Times 04/12/11THE STRAD RECOMMENDS These two discs are a constant and rewarding delight. Let us hope that more will be along soon. (Review for this and the Op.74 recording) --The Strad,Dec'11
J**S
Fabulous
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful
D**G
Superb Haydn Quartets from the Takacs
Another superb CD from the Takacs. Just as good as their Beethoven quartets cycle. If you want to know why Haydn is enjoying such a revival of interest, listen to this.
L**S
Excellent
These performances are the equal of their companion Opus 74 recording.
C**S
Takacs = quality
Gentle reader, I'm almost at the point where I buy any new Takacs CD without further thought.Composer + Program almost irrelevant.Sublime, muscular performances. Great recording quality. I can feel the rosin being vibrated into the air.
S**S
Quite brilliant
These recordings of Haydn's Op.71 quartets are, as you would expect from The Takacs Quartet, quite brilliant. They are very fine works from a master composer, played by arguably the greatest string quartet currently performing and the result is wonderful.Haydn's string quartets are a source of endless variety, depth, joy and sheer beauty and the Op. 71 sets contains three lovely examples. The music is a joy, full of melody and ingenious structure and counterpoint, with that delightful twinkle in Haydn's eye never too far away, and it's just a pleasure to hear any of them.The performances are superb. They are thoughtful and respectful to Haydn's intentions and understand that Haydn often said serious things in a witty way. All the musical, emotional and intellectual depth in these works is well to the fore. Technically the players are superb, with impeccable intonation and quite restrained use of vibrato and rubato. There is also an almost miraculous understanding between them, all of which makes the performances lovely and clean, and full of beauty and sheer enjoyment. I have for years owned dearly loved performances of these quartets by The Lindsays, but I prefer these; the sheer crispness and clarity of these interpretations is a revelation.The recorded sound is, as always from Hyperion, excellent. There are detailed, interesting notes and the presentation is very attractive. This is simply excellent all round and I recommend it very warmly indeed.
S**S
Quite brilliant
These recordings of Haydn's Op.71 and Op.74 quartets are, as you would expect from The Takacs Quartet, quite brilliant. They are very fine works from a master composer, played by arguably the greatest string quartet currently performing and the result is wonderful.Haydn's string quartets are a source of endless variety, depth, joy and sheer beauty and the Op. 71 and Op. 74 sets contain three lovely examples each. The music is a joy, full of melody and ingenious structure and counterpoint, with that delightful twinkle in Haydn's eye never too far away, and it's just a pleasure to hear any of them.The performances are superb. They are thoughtful and respectful to Haydn's intentions and understand that Haydn often said serious things in a witty way. All the musical, emotional and intellectual depth in these works is well to the fore. Technically the players are superb, with impeccable intonation and quite restrained use of vibrato and rubato. There is also an almost miraculous understanding between them, all of which makes the performances lovely and clean, and full of beauty and sheer enjoyment. I have for years owned dearly loved performances of these quartets by The Lindsays, but I prefer these; the sheer crispness and clarity of these interpretations is a revelation.The recorded sound is, as always from Hyperion, excellent. There are detailed, interesting notes and the presentation is very attractive. Both of these discs are simply excellent all round and I recommend them very warmly indeed.
E**S
Outstanding Haydn
These are some of Haydn's most inventive and inspired quartets, given superlative performances by the Takacs. The recording is first class.
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