Amati Quartet - Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 50 (2018)

The six quartets of Opus 50 by Joseph Haydn are among the most important works in the string quartet genre – that chamber music formation so highly valued since the era of the First Viennese School, allowing only masters of the composer’s art to express themselves. Haydn’s so-called “Prussian Quartets” (Hob. III:44-49) of 1787 were dedicated to the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II, an enthusiastic amateur cellist. Here, he developed the classical style of music-making, which he had shaped so decisively himself, even further. Starting with a rather simple theme, the motifs are artfully wrought – especially in the opening movement of the quartets – and it is notable that all four instrument are treated as near-equals. The six masterworks of the Austrian composer were captured by the Amati Quartet in studio recordings made in 1995 and 1997, winning the French record award “Choc du monde de la musique” at the time – now they have been assembled and released together by DIVOX on a double album. The interpretation by the renowned Amati Quartet is undoubtedly a reference recording of these sophisticated and mellifluous, yet humorous and by no means academic string quartets.

TRACKLIST

CD1 (12 / 59:02)
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1. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 50 No. 1, Hob.III:44: I. Allegro
2. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 50 No. 1, Hob.III:44: II. Adagio non lento
3. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 50 No. 1, Hob.III:44: III. Poco Allegretto
4. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 50 No. 1, Hob.III:44: IV. Finale. Vivace
5. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in C Major, Op. 50 No. 2, Hob.III:45: I. Vivace
6. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in C Major, Op. 50 No. 2, Hob.III:45: II. Adagio cantabile
7. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in C Major, Op. 50 No. 2, Hob.III:45: III. Menuetto. Allegretto
8. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in C Major, Op. 50 No. 2, Hob.III:45: IV. Finale. Vivace assai
9. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 50 No. 3, Hob.III:46: I. Allegro con brio
10. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 50 No. 3, Hob.III:46: II. Andante piùtosto Allegretto
11. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 50 No. 3, Hob.III:46: III. Menuetto. Allegretto.
12. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 50 No. 3, Hob.III:46: IV. Finale. Presto



CD2 (12 / 59:30)
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1. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 50 No. 4, Hob.III:47: I. Allegretto spiritoso
2. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 50 No. 4, Hob.III:47: II. Andante
3. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 50 No. 4, Hob.III:47: III. Menuetto
4. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 50 No. 4, Hob.III:47: IV. Allegro molto. Fuga
5. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in F Major, Op. 50 No. 5, Hob.III:48, "Der Traum": I. Allegro molto
6. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in F Major, Op. 50 No. 5, Hob.III:48, "Der Traum": II. Tempo di Menuetto
7. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in F Major, Op. 50 No. 5, Hob.III:48, "Der Traum": III. Allegretto
8. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in F Major, Op. 50 No. 5, Hob.III:48, "Der Traum": IV. Finale. Vivace
9. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 50 No. 6, Hob.III:49, "Der Frosch": I. Allegro
10. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 50 No. 6, Hob.III:49, "Der Frosch": II. Poco adagio - Menuetto
11. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 50 No. 6, Hob.III:49, "Der Frosch": III. Allegretto
12. Amati Quartett - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 50 No. 6, Hob.III:49, "Der Frosch": IV. Finale. Allegro con spirito