Joseph Haydn, after hearing the premiere of the last three quartets in 1785, told Leopold Mozart that his son was 'the greatest composer known to me either in person or by name'.
Composition History
In 1784, a 'quartet evening' hosted by English composer Stephen Storace in Vienna featured Joseph Haydn and Carl von Dittersdorf on violin, Wolfgang Mozart on viola, and Johann Baptist Vanhal on cello.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Wolfgang Mozart dedicated these six quartets to Joseph Haydn, stating they were the 'fruit of long and laborious study' and that Haydn had approved them in manuscript.
Critical Reception
Despite Mozart's dedication, the initial reception of these quartets was mixed, with one 1787 reviewer finding them 'too highly spiced' and Carl von Dittersdorf complaining of their 'overwhelming and unrelenting artfulness'.
Instruments
The recording features historical string instruments, including a 1765 Thomas Balestrieri violin, a 1750 Paolo Castello viola, and a 1864 Hippolyte Sylvestre cello.
Performer Biography
The Alexander String Quartet, formed in 1981, was the first string quartet to win the Concert Artists Guild Competition in 1982 and the London International String Quartet Competition in 1985.
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