January 18, 2020

Haydn was known as the ‘father of the string quartet,’ and in many ways this is Beethoven’s nod to the composer’s contributions. However there is no mistaking the final movement for anyone other than Beethoven.

Nicknamed for the plucking sound of the viola and cello in the first movement, this quartet was written with a truly symphonic sound that mirrored his 5th Symphony.

The first of the ‘late’ quartets, this piece has an odd nature of contrast. In form and structure it is deeply rooted in the Classical period, and yet the richness of sound is something new.