The Chiaroscuro Quartet performs on historical instruments, including a 1570 Andrea Amati violin and a 1720 Carlo Tononi cello.
Performer Biography
The Chiaroscuro Quartet, formed in 2005, is an international ensemble that performs Classical period music on gut strings and has won prestigious awards like the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik.
Critical Reception
Upon hearing Haydn's Op. 76 quartets, his friend Charles Burney wrote that he had 'never received more pleasure from instrumental music' and praised their invention, fire, and new effects.
Composition History
Haydn's Op. 76 quartets, his last completed set, were commissioned by his friend Count Joseph Erdődy, who maintained his own private string quartet even during the Napoleonic Wars.
Recording & Production
This recording was made in December 2017 at the Sendesaal, Bremen, Germany, and was produced by Andrew Keener.
Interpretation
The Chiaroscuro Quartet is described as a 'trailblazer for the authentic performance of High Classical chamber music' and is highly acclaimed for its unique sound.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Haydn, an international celebrity, elevated the string quartet from modest origins to a vehicle for sophisticated musical discourse, rivaling the symphony in prestige.
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