Joseph Haydn, the composer, was known as the "founding father of the quartet" who determined its form and laid its groundwork.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Haydn's Opus 76 quartets are characterized by vitality, inventiveness, contrasts, and humor, alongside sincere lyricism and spirituality, especially in the slow movements.
Historical Context
Haydn's move to London after Prince Nikolaus Esterházy's death in 1790 exposed him to a thriving public concert scene, which was rare in Austria at the time.
Composition History
Haydn's Opus 76 quartets, including the 'Sunrise', 'Emperor', and 'Fifths' quartets, were completed by the end of 1797 and published in 1799.
Interpretation
The Quatuor Arod, the performers on this album, use bespoke copies of 1770s bows, attributed to François Xavier and Nicolas Léonard Tourte, to achieve a more authentic sound.
Composition History
Haydn intended the release of his Opus 76 quartets to coincide with the Vienna premiere of his oratorio, The Creation, which he brought back from England.
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