Search - Franz Joseph Haydn, Kodaly Quartet :: Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 74, Nos. 1-3

Best of the Kodaly Quartet's Haydn Cycle

Mark Amorose | Concord, CA United States | 04/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of Haydn's approximately 70 string quartets, at least 45 are "profound and profoundly different, absolutely flawless" masterpieces (according to Hans Keller, author of the definitive study of Haydn's quartets). In this magnificent (in both senses of the word) body of music, I find that the later a work was composed the more undeniably it deserves the title "masterpiece." Thus, the three quartets of Opus 74, written toward the end of Haydn's prolific career, are among his best.The Kodaly Quartet took ten years (c. 1989-1998) to record the complete cycle of Haydn quartets on the budget-priced Naxos label; their performances, with few exceptions, are as good as any full-price rival. It is here, however, in Op. 74 (and in the companion Op. 71), that the Kodalys surpass all the competition. In Op. 20 the Mosaiques lead the field; of Op. 33 there are several fine versions; in Op. 50, the Salomons are strong contenders; in Opp. 54 & 55, the Lindsays are exceptionally fine; in Op. 64 I like the Fetstics Quartet. Even in their outstanding Op. 76 recordings, the Kodalys are not without rivals (e.g. the Tatrai Quartet). If you can afford it buy the entire cycle on Naxos (except Op. 20 - a good performance poorly recorded - and the rather uninspired early quartets of Opp. 1 & 2). Later you can add some of the other insightful interpretations, mentioned above (but get the Mosaiques' Op. 20 now). In Op. 74 the Kodaly are peerless; next to them, the Tatrai Quartet sounds sluggish, and the Salomon Quartet anemic. Listen, for instance, to the spirited but precise Allegro spiritoso first movement of the F Major quartet, or to the 'riding' finale of the G minor. The digital recorded sound is excellent."

Rôle model for the string quartet

G. Camara | Sao Jose dos Campos, SP Brazil | 11/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The year is 1793, two years after Mozart's death. Haydn produces one of the absolute masterpieces of the whole history of the string quartets: the "Apponyi Quartets", which include six quartets (opus 71 and op 74, which is this recording). It is no surprise that Mozart dedicated to Haydn a set of six wonderful quarterts: he was recognizing Haydn's primacy on the string quartets genre. Haydn's response was masterly: the "Apponyi" quartets are widely recognized as one of the rôle models for all chamber music composers. Even very different works such as Beethoveen's opus 131, Bartok fifth quartet, and Carter's second quartet will be much better appreciated if one is very familiar with Hadyn's major works. The performance of the Kodaly quartet is hors-pair. Don't let the low price fool you: these recordings would be top recommendations even at triple the Naxos price. Buy them, and have a lifetime of enjoyment."