Franz Joseph Haydn: Seven Last Words of Christ

On this CD:

1. Die Sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlösers am Kreuze (The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross), for string quartet, H. 3/50-56
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by Robert Mann, Jon Humphrey, Juilliard Quartet, Joel Krosnick, Thomas Paul, Samuel Rhodes

Tracks:

Introduzione I: Maestoso Ed Adagio
Sonata I: Largo (Pater, Dimitte Illis, Quia Nesciunt, Quid Faciunt)
Sonata II: Grave E Catabile (Hodie Mecum Eris In Paradiso)
Sonata III: Grave (Mulier, Ecce Filius Tuus)
Sonata IV: Largo (Deus Meus, Deus Meus, Utquid Dereliquisti Me?)
Introduzione (II): Largo E Cantabile
Sonata V: Adagio (Sitio)
Sonata VI: Lento (Consummatum Est)
Sonata VII: Largo (In Manus Tuas, Domine, Commendo Spiritum Meum)
Il Terremoto: Presto E Con Tutta La Forza (The Earthquake)

Amazon.com

In 1785, the Cathedral of Cádiz commissioned Haydn to write seven orchestral interludes, to be performed during Holy Week services between the bishop's recitation of Jesus' seven last words, plus an introduction and an epilogue depicting the earthquake after His death. Though Haydn later complained about the difficulty of composing eight consecutive slow movements that would not "fatigue the listener," but "produce the deepest impression...in his soul," he succeeded magnificently. The work is surely one of his great masterpieces. Originally scored for full orchestra, he arranged it for string quartet (the most familiar version), for piano, and subsequently also for soloists, chorus and orchestra on a text by Baron van Swieten. This recording, part of the Emerson's Haydn Project, is wonderful. Though the texture is full and often contrapuntal, the first violin generally carries the melody. As always, the Emerson's violinists share the lead. Their tone, while sometimes perhaps too luxurious, is beautiful, and the collective sound is warm, pure and transparent. With inmost expressiveness, they evoke the work's human agony in all its pleading, despair and resignation, as well as its serene promise of heaven. Inveterate innovators, they have made numerous textual changes, incorporating elements of the orchestral version to enhance sonority and voicing; they even include an all-wind movement that Haydn added to his choral version in their own transcription. Though Haydn intended the music to express the text by purely instrumental means, the Emerson's suggestion that the main theme of each movement is a setting of the salient "word" or sentence (in Latin, the language of the Catholic church service) is intriguing. Despite Haydn's misgivings, the performance easily sustains interest through eight (here nine) slow movements, and though one misses the original's trumpets and kettledrums, the "Earthquake" is very effective. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Won over by the Emersons.......2006-03-31

I never thought much of Haydn as a composer beyond the generic praise any music lover is bound to give him, but hearing fragments of this work here at Amazon compelled me to buy this recording.
By now, I have a new-found respect for Haydn and this recording has become one of my most cherished. The grandeur and intensity permeating this work from start to finish is startling. My favourite piece, Nr. 5, has all the power of a De Lassus penitential psalm or a highlight from Bach's cantatas or the St. Matthew - yes, unequivocally.

Great Work, Excellent Recording.......2006-01-04

With the great Alban Berg Quartet's (ABQ) focus on such composers as Piazzola (not that there is anything wrong with that) resulting in relative obscurity, the Emersons Quartet (ESQ) currently deserves the epitaph of the world's leading string quartet. Thanks to their devotion to both the standard and new repertoire and a departure from the overemphatic approach of ensembles like the Guarneris at this side of the Atlantic Ocean, ESQ has nicely supplemented the more revolutionary, but less skilled Kronos Quartet's catalog.

It is a great pleasure to finally get an opportunity to hear the Last Words in such a superior performance. Everything is there and the ensemble is highly successful in maintaining the tension and the listener's interest throughout this cycle of mostly slow movements. While I at times would have preferred the slightly dryer approach of the ABQ to emphasize these works classical origin, this is only a minor quibble.

In all an excellent, generous and well recorded disc.

Are the Emersons finally a distinctive voice ???.......2004-05-18

Recording after recording by the Emersons of the mainstream quartet repertoire has disappointed at the last hurdle, when, despite magnificent playing, intense attention to detail and composer's markings etc.. they just did not seem to have that certain "voice" that made Vegh's Beethoven, Beethoven;, or the Borodin's Shostakovich, Shostakovich. Even in the highly lauded Bartok, the old Tokyo and Julliard sets just seemed to have the feel of the music musch better... But hold on - what's this - Bach - the recent Art of the Fugue recording - and Haydn - and the Emersons ???
I must say that the very two pieces that I had to date had found very difficult to absorb and enjoy consistently, now are the most played chamber discs, and all credit to the Emersons for taking on such major projects and brining them off famously. the Hadyn in particular, is very intense, yet no doubt about it - this is gray old papa Haydn in his most personal voice....
Well done gents .... keep surprising us ..... now if they wer to take on some Henze, Hartmann, Ligeti .......

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Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set]

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ASIN: B00062FLJM
Release Date: 2004-11-30

The Most Relaxing Chamber Music Album in the World ... Ever!

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The Most Relaxing Chamber Music Album in the World ... Ever!

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000AXWGZE
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

String Quartet in B-Flat, Op. 76 No. 4 Sunrise - II Adagio - Franz Joseph Haydn
Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 65 - III Largo - Frederic Chopin
Piano Trio No. 1 in B-Flat, D.898 - II Andante, un poco mosso - Franz Schubert
Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 - II Andante un poco adagio - Johannes Brahms
String Quartet No. 17 In B-Flat, K.458 Hunt - III Adagio - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Quartet No. 17 In B-Flat, K.458 Hunt - III Adagio - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sonata In E Minor, F.XVI, No. 1 - II Largo - Antonio Vivaldi
Mhenerzungen, Op. 132 - III Ruhiges Tempo, Mit Zartem Ausdruck - Robert Schumann
Sonata No. 5 For Piano & Violin In F, Op. 24 Spring - Ii Adagio Molto Espressivo - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Quintet For Piano & Winds In E-Flat, K.452 - II Larghetto - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Seven Last Words From The Cross - VII Largo - Franz Joseph Haydn

Tracks:

String Quartet In C Minor, Op. 51 No. 1 - II Romanze; Poco Adagio - Johannes Brahms
FantasiestOp. 73 - I Zart Und Mit Ausdruck - Robert Schumann
Serenade In D, Op. 8 - Adagio
Clarinet Quintet In A, K.581 - II Larghetto - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Quartet No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 44 No. 2 - II Andante - Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
String Quartet, Op. 10 - III Andantino, Doucement Expressif - Claude Debussy
Violin Sonata No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 108 - II Adagio - Johannes Brahms
Quintet For Piano & Winds In E-Flat, Op. 16 - II Andante Cantabile - Ludwig Van Beethoven
String Quartet No. 1 In D, Op. 11 - II Andante Cantabile - Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Clarinet Trio In B-Flat, Op. 11 - II Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
String Quartet In E-Flat, D.87 - III Adagio - Franz Schubert
Serenade (Andante Cantabile) - Franz Joseph Haydn
Wiegenlied, Op. 49 No. 4 (Lullaby) - Johannes Brahms

Franz Joseph Haydn: Complete String Quartets (Box Set)

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Many Hours of Magnificent Listening Pleasure

Franz Joseph Haydn: Complete String Quartets (Box Set)
Kodly Quartet
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ASIN: B00004SSJF
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Allegro con spirito
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Adagio sostenuto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Menuetto: Presto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Finale: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Allegro
String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Andante o piu tosto allegretto
String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Menuetto: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Vivace assai
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Allegro
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Poco adagio, cantabile
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Menuetto: Allegro
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Allegro con spirito
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Adagio
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Menuetto: Allegro
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Finale: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Allegretto - Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Largo cantabile e mesto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Menuetto: Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Allegretto - Allegro
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Fantasia: Adagio
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Menuetto: Presto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Finale: Allegro spirituoso

Tracks:

The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: L'Introduzione: Maestoso ed adagio
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata I: Pater, dimitte illis, non enim sciunt, quid faciunt (Largo)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata II: Amen dico tibi: hodie mecum eris in paradiso (Grave e cantabile)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata III: Mullier, ecce fillus tuus, et tu, ecce mater tua! (Grave)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata IV: Eli, Eli, lama asabthani? (Largo)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata V: Sitio (Adagio)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata VI: Consummatum est! (Lento)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata VII: Peter! in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum - (Largo)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Il terrmoto (Presto e con tutta la forza)
String Quartet No. 68 In D Minor, Op. 103 Hob. III: 83: Andante graziso
String Quartet No. 68 In D Minor, Op. 103 Hob. III: 83: Menuetto ma non troppo presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: Allegro
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: Adagio
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: (Finale): Vivace
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Adagio-Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Adagio (cantobile)
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Finale: Allegretto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Vivace
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Andante con moto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Menuetto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Finale: Vivace

Tracks:

String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Vivace
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Adagio
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Finale: Adagio-Presto-Adagio
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Allegro con brio
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Allegretto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Allegro
String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Largo cantobile
String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Allegro (moderato)
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Andantino (grazioso)
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Menuetto: Allegro
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Finale: Vivace
String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Allegro spiritoso
String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Andadnte grazioso
String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Menuetto
String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Allegro
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Largo assai
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Menuetto: (Allegretto)
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Finbale: Allegro con brio

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Allegro
String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Adagio cantabile
String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Menuetto
String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Finale: Vivace
String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Andante o piu tosto allegretto
String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Allegro
String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Finale: Presto
String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Vivace assai
String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Adagio ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Menuetto
String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No. 1: Presto
String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No. 1: Minuet
String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No. 1: Adagio
String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No. 1: Minuet
String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No. 1: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Allegro molto
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Minuet
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Adagio
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Minuet
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Adagio
String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Minuet
String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Scherzo: Presto
String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Menuet
String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Presto
String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Minuet
String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Adagio ma non tanto
String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Minuet
String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Presto
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Minuet
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Adagio
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Minuet
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Presto assai
String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Minuet
String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Adagio
String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Minuet
String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Finale: Allegro
String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Allegro
String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Minuet
String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Adagio
String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Minuet
String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Finale: Allegro molto
String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Allegro molto
String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Minuet
String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Adagio
String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Minuetto
String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Allegro moderato
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Menuetto: Allegretto ma non troppo
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Allegretto scherzando
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Allegro spiritoso
String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Adagio ma non troppo
String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Vivace assai
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Adagio
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Finale: Allegro con spirito

Tracks:

String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Allegro con brio
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Adagio - Cantabile e sostenuto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Allegro moderato
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Adagio - Cantabile
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Finale: Vivace
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Allegro
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Andante
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Minuet: Un poco allegretto
Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Affetuoso e sostenuto
Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Moderato
Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Capriccio: Adagio
Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Minuet: Allegretto
Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Fuga a quattro soggetti
Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Allegro con spirito
Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Minuet: Allegretto
Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Poco adagio
Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Finale: Allegro di molto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Allegro di molto
Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Un poco adagio e affettuoso
Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Menuet alla Zingarese: Allegretto
Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Presto e scherzando
Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Moderato
Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Menuet
Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Adagio
Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Finale: Fuga a due soggetti
Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Allegro di molto e scherzando
Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Adagio
Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Menuet
Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Fuga con tre soggetti

Tracks:

Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Andante ed Innocentemente
Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Menuetto: Allegretto
Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Adagio e cantabile
Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Presto
Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Menuet
Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Adagio
Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Menuet: Allegretto
Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Finale: Allegro
Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Adagio With Variations
Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Menuet
Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Scherzo: Presto
Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Menuet
Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Moderato
Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Menuet
Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Adagio - Cantabile
Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Moderato
Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Menuet: Un poco allegretto
Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Adagio
Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Moderato
Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Menuet: Allegretto
Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Largo
Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Moderato
Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Menuet
Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Adagio
Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Finale: Allegro di molto
Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Poco adagio
Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Menuet: Allegretto
Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Largo: Cantabile
Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Presto
Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Menuet
Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Adagio
Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Vivace assai
Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Largo e cantabile
Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Scherzo
Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Finale
Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Scherzo
Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Largo e sostenuto
Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Finale
Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Scherzo
Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Andante
Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Finale

Tracks:

Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Scherzo: Allegretto
Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Adagio ma non troppo
Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Finale: Rondo - Presto
Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Vivace assai
Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Andante
Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Scherzo: Allegretto
Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Finale: Rondo - Presto
Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Scherzo: Allegretto
Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Largo
Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Moderato
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Adagio
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Finale: Allegro di molto
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Moderato
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Adagio
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Finale: Presto
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Moderato
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Menuetto
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Adagio cantabile
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Presto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Menuetto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Largo
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Presto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Andate grazioso
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Adagio
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Allegro molto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Moderato
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Menuetto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Adagio
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Adagio
Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Menuetto: Presto
Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Menuet: Presto
Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Andante
Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Finale: Vivace assai

Tracks:

String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Allegro
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Adagio non lento
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Menuetto: Poco allegretto
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Finale: Vivace
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Vivace
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Adagio: Cantabile
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Finale: Vivace assai
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Allegro con brio
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Andante piu tosto Allegretto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Allegro spirituoso
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Andante
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Menuetto: Poco allegretto
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Finale: Fuga: Allegro moderato
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Allegro moderato
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Poco adagio
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Finale: Vivace
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Allegro
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Poco adagio
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Finale: Allegro con spirito

Customer Reviews:

Many Hours of Magnificent Listening Pleasure.......2007-02-20

When these quartets were recorded, in the 1990's and early 2000's, the Kodaly Quartet ("KQ") had been playing together for more than a quarter century. It shows. What is evident on these recordings is the perfect cohesion of these highly talented musicians; they clearly have an intimate knowledge of the score of each quartet and thoroughly enjoy playing together. The KQ's performance is fresh, truly conveys their love for this music, and fully brings to life the range of emotions contained in this musical microcosm - playfulness, elegance, sunny joy, and gentle reverie - with every movement of these quartets having a quality of refinement and graciousness that allows the listener to savor every note.

The allegro movements on these CDs have a wonderful rhythmic vitality.
While listening to them, one can imagine elegantly dressed men and women in the 18th century, with the women in long, flowing silk dresses, moving across the dance floor to the sounds of this wonderful music. Although this chamber music was originally composed for small private gatherings, the fast movements have a lively rhythm that evokes the image of dancing couples.

The slow movements are played with a beautiful tenderness that invites the listener to float upwards with closed eyes into a serene musical heaven, floating in the clouds like an albatross with its wings outspread, being lifted by air currents as it slowly glides through an azure sky on a warm summer day.

These digital recordings have an excellent crystal clear sound quality, capturing the KQ's precision and their sensitivity to every nuance of every note. The sound engineering is truly first-rate, giving a feeling of immediacy and physical presence to the instruments. It is only one step away from having the musicians actually performing in front of you, in your own living room.

I am absolutely delighted with this series of the complete Haydn string quartets by the KQ. As it turns out, every CD in the series has been a delight, including the ones with "spurious arrangements" and quartets that may very well not have been composed by Haydn at all, but by Romanus Hoffstetter (1742 - 1815).

Even the early string quartets are more than mere historical footnotes. They are also beautiful music, irrespective of who composed them, Haydn or Hoffstetter. They are delightful and very worthy compositions in their own right. As stated by Allan Badley in the booklet notes to one of the CD's of the earliest quartets: "There is much to admire in the Op. 3 Quartets, whoever the composer may have been. They are elegant, neatly composed works with lively outer movements, gentle, graceful slow movements, and the kind of lilting, intoxicating minuets that are an integral part of Austrian music of the period." The fact that these string quartets are less musically complex than Haydn's later masterpieces, such as the Opus 71, "Apponyi" quartets, does not detract from their beauty.

I would gladly have paid twice as much for this set of CDs and still felt it was an excellent value. The CD booklet notes are well-written, with historical information, musical analysis, and information on the Kodaly Quartet. Very highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Nice Set...not a great performance
Much unknown music to assimilate
the greatest penny a note composer
The best complete set of Haydn Sonatas at any price
Excellent performances of rarely heard works

Haydn: The Complete Piano Sonatas

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Haydn: Complete Piano Trios
Works for Solo Piano
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Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Haydn: Complete String Quartets

ASIN: B0000041KC
Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 1 In G Major (Hob.XVI:8): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 1 In G Major (Hob.XVI:8): II Menuet
Piano Sonata No. 1 In G Major (Hob.XVI:8): III Andante
Piano Sonata No. 1 In G Major (Hob.XVI:8): IV Finale: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 2 In C Major (Hob.XVI:7): I Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 2 In C Major (Hob.XVI:7): II Menuet
Piano Sonata No. 2 In C Major (Hob.XVI:7): III Finale: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Major (Hob.XVI:9): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Major (Hob.XVI:9): II Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Major (Hob.XVI:9): III Scherzo: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 4 IN G Major (Hob.XVI: G1): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 4 IN G Major (Hob.XVI: G1): II Menuetto
Piano Sonata No. 4 IN G Major (Hob.XVI: G1): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 5 In G Major (Hob.XVI:11): I Presto
Piano Sonata No. 5 In G Major (Hob.XVI:11): II Andante
Piano Sonata No. 5 In G Major (Hob.XVI:11): III Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 6 In C Major (Hob.XVI:10): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 6 In C Major (Hob.XVI:10): II Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 6 In C Major (Hob.XVI:10): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 7 In D Major (Hob.XVII:D1): I Moderato (Tema con variazioni)
Piano Sonata No. 7 In D Major (Hob.XVII:D1): II Menuet
Piano Sonata No. 7 In D Major (Hob.XVII:D1): III Finale: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 8 In A Major (Hob.XVI:5): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 8 In A Major (Hob.XVI:5): II Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 8 In A Major (Hob.XVI:5): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 9 In D Major (Hob.XVI:4): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 9 In D Major (Hob.XVI:4): II Menuet And Trio
5 Variations In D Major

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 10 In C Major (Hob.XVI:1): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 10 In C Major (Hob.XVI:1): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 10 In C Major (Hob.XVI:1): III Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 11 In B Flat Major (Hob.XVI:2): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 11 In B Flat Major (Hob.XVI:2): II Largo
Piano Sonata No. 11 In B Flat Major (Hob.XVI:2): III Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 12 In A Major (Hob.XVI:12): I Andante
Piano Sonata No. 12 In A Major (Hob.XVI:12): II Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 12 In A Major (Hob.XVI:12): III Finale: Allegro molto
Piano Sonata No. 13 In G Major (Hob.XVI:6): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 13 In G Major (Hob.XVI:6): II Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 13 In G Major (Hob.XVI:6): III Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 13 In G Major (Hob.XVI:6): IV Finale
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Major (Hob.XVI:3): I Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Major (Hob.XVI:3): II Andante
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Major (Hob.XVI:3): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 15 In E Major (Hob.XVI:13): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 15 In E Major (Hob.XVI:13): II Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 15 In E Major (Hob.XVI:13): III Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 16 In D Major (Hob.XVI:14): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 16 In D Major (Hob.XVI:14): II Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 16 In D Major (Hob.XVI:14): III Finale: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 17 In E Flat Major (Hob. deest): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 17 In E Flat Major (Hob. deest): II Andante
Piano Sonata No. 17 In E Flat Major (Hob. deest): III Menuetto And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 18 In E Flat Major (Hob. deest): I Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 18 In E Flat Major (Hob. deest): II Menuetto And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 19 In E Minor, Major (Hob. deest): I Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 19 In E Minor, Major (Hob. deest): II Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 19 In E Minor, Major (Hob. deest): III Finale: Tempo di minuetto
Piano Sonata No. 20 In B Flat Major (Hob.XVI:18): I Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 19 In E Minor, Major (Hob. deest): II Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 28 In D Major (Hob.XIV:5): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 28 In D Major (Hob.XIV:5): II Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:16): I Andante
Piano Sonata In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:16): II Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:16): III Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 29 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:45): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 29 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:45): II Andante
Piano Sonata No. 29 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:45): III Finale: Allegro di molto
Piano Sonata No. 30 In D Major (Hob.XVI:19): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 30 In D Major (Hob.XVI:19): II Andante
Piano Sonata No. 30 In D Major (Hob.XVI:19): III Final: Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No. 31 In A Flat Major (Hob.XVI:46): I Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 31 In A Flat Major (Hob.XVI:46): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 31 In A Flat Major (Hob.XVI:46): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 32 In G Minor (Hob.XVI:44): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 32 In G Minor (Hob.XVI:44): II Allegretto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 33 In C Minor (Hob.XVI:20): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 33 In C Minor (Hob.XVI:20): II Andante con moto
Piano Sonata No. 33 In C Minor (Hob.XVI:20): III Finale: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 34 In D Major (Hob.XVI:33): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 34 In D Major (Hob.XVI:33): II Adagio: Tempo di minuetto
Piano Sonata No. 35 In A Flat Major (Hob.XVI:43): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 35 In A Flat Major (Hob.XVI:43): II Menuetto
Piano Sonata No. 35 In A Flat Major (Hob.XVI:43): III Rondo: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 36 In C Major (Hob.XVI:21): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 36 In C Major (Hob.XVI:21): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 36 In C Major (Hob.XVI:21): III Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 37 In E Major (Hob.XVI:22): I Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 37 In E Major (Hob.XVI:22): II Andante
Piano Sonata No. 37 In E Major (Hob.XVI:22): III Finale: Tempo di minuetto
Piano Sonata No. 38 In F Major (Hob.XVI:23): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 38 In F Major (Hob.XVI:23): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 38 In F Major (Hob.XVI:23): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 39 In D Major (Hob.XVI:24): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 39 In D Major (Hob.XVI:24): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 39 In D Major (Hob.XVI:24): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 40 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:25): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 40 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:25): II Tempo di minuetto
Piano Sonata No. 41 In A Major (Hob.XVI:26): I Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 41 In A Major (Hob.XVI:26): II Menuet al rovescio
Piano Sonata No. 41 In A Major (Hob.XVI:26): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata In B Flat Major (Hob.XIV:17): I Allegro
Piano Sonata In B Flat Major (Hob.XIV:17): II Andante
Piano Sonata In B Flat Major (Hob.XIV:17): III Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 42 In G Major (Hob.XVI:27): I Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No. 42 In G Major (Hob.XVI:27): II Menuet
Piano Sonata No. 42 In G Major (Hob.XVI:27): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 43 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:28): I Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 43 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:28): II Menuet And Trio
Piano Sonata No. 43 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:28): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 44 In F Major (Hob.XVI:29): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 44 In F Major (Hob.XVI:29): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 44 In F Major (Hob.XVI:29): III Tempo di minuetto
Piano Sonata No. 45 In A Major (Hob.XVI:30): I Allegro - Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 45 In A Major (Hob.XVI:30): II Tempo di minuetto
Piano Sonata No. 46 In E Major (Hob.XVI:31): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 46 In E Major (Hob.XVI:31): II Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 46 In E Major (Hob.XVI:31): III Finale: Presto
7 Minuets From 'Kleine Tanze fur die Jugend' (Hov. IX:8: Allegretto giocoso (I) - Allegretto risoluto (II) - Allegretto (V) - Allegro vivace (IX) - Moderato (XI) - Allegro vivace (X) - Allegro giocoso (VII)

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 47 In B Minor (Hob.XVI:32): I Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 47 In B Minor (Hob.XVI:32): II Menuet
Piano Sonata No. 47 In B Minor (Hob.XVI:32): III Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 48 In C Major (Hob.XVI:35): I Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No. 48 In C Major (Hob.XVI:35): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 48 In C Major (Hob.XVI:35): III Finale: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 49 In C Sharp Minor (Hob.XVI:36): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 49 In C Sharp Minor (Hob.XVI:36): II Scherzo: Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No. 49 In C Sharp Minor (Hob.XVI:36): III Menuet And Trio: Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 50 In D Major (Hob.XVI:37): I Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No. 50 In D Major (Hob.XVI:37): II Largo e sostenuto
Piano Sonata No. 50 In D Major (Hob.XVI:37): III Finale: Presto, ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No. 51 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:38): I Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 51 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:38): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 51 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:38): III Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 52 In G Major (Hob.XVI:39): I Allegro con brio
Piano Sonata No. 52 In G Major (Hob.XVI:39): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 52 In G Major (Hob.XVI:39): III Finale: Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No. 53 In E Minor (Hob.XVI:34): I Presto
Piano Sonata No. 53 In E Minor (Hob.XVI:34): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 53 In E Minor (Hob.XVI:34): III Finale: Vivace molto
Piano Sonata No. 54 In G Major (Hob.XVI:40): I Allgretto innocente
Piano Sonata No. 54 In G Major (Hob.XVI:40): II Presto
Piano Sonata No. 55 In B Flat Major (Hob.XVI:41): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 55 In B Flat Major (Hob.XVI:41): II Allegro di molto
Piano Sonata No. 56 In D Major (Hob.XVI:42): I Andante con espressione
Piano Sonata No. 56 In D Major (Hob.XVI:42): II Finale: Vivace assai

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 57 In F Major (Hob.XVI:47): I Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 57 In F Major (Hob.XVI:47): II Larghetto
Piano Sonata No. 57 In F Major (Hob.XVI:47): III Finale: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 58 In C Major (Hob.XVI:48): I Andante con espressione
Piano Sonata No. 58 In C Major (Hob.XVI:48): II Rondo: Presto
Piano Sonata No. 59 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:49): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 59 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:49): II Adagio e cantabile
Piano Sonata No. 59 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:49): III Finale: Tempo di minuetto
Piano Sonata No. 60 In C Major (Hob.XVI:50): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 60 In C Major (Hob.XVI:50): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 60 In C Major (Hob.XVI:50): III Finale: Allegro molto
Piano Sonata No. 61 In D Major (Hob.XVI:51): I Andante
Piano Sonata No. 61 In D Major (Hob.XVI:51): II Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 62 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:52): I Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 62 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:52): II Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 62 In E Flat Major (Hob.XVI:52): III Finale: Presto
Variations In F-Minor (Hob.XVII:6)
Fantasia In C Major (Hob.XVII:4)
12 Variations In E Flat Major (Hob. XVII: 3)
Adagio In F Major (Hob.XVII:9)
6 Variations In C Major (Hob. XVII:5)

Tracks:

20 Variations In A Major (Hob.XVII:2)
Capriccio In G Major On The Song 'Acht Sauschneider
The Seven Last Words Of The Redeemer On The Cross: I L'Introduzione: Maestoso et adagio
The Seven Last Words Of The Redeemer On The Cross: II Sonata I: Largo
The Seven Last Words Of The Redeemer On The Cross: III Sonata II: Grave e cantabile
The Seven Last Words Of The Redeemer On The Cross: IV Sonata III: Grave
The Seven Last Words Of The Redeemer On The Cross: V Sonata IV: Largo
The Seven Last Words Of The Redeemer On The Cross: VI SonataV: Adagio
The Seven Last Words Of The Redeemer On The Cross: VII Sonata VI: Lento
The Seven Last Words Of The Redeemer On The Cross: VIII Sonata VII: Largo -- attacca subito - II Terremoto (Presto)

Amazon.com

Haydn was not a pianist of any distinction, nor a very successful composer of instrumental concertos, but his piano sonatas--and there are more than 60 of them--are much finer than those of Mozart, who was one of his era's greatest keyboard virtuosos. The reason for this is simple. Mozart wrote his keyboard concertos for himself and his sonatas for students. Haydn, on the other hand, was constantly stimulated to write piano music for gifted amateurs, though in those days amateurs were often as good as the professionals, particularly women for whom a concert career was out of the question. This is great music then, charming but never trivial, and John McCabe plays it with impressive style and vigor. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Nice Set...not a great performance.......2005-05-08

As a pianist myself, I was very interested to listen to Mr. McCabe when preparing my M.M. degree recital, in which I performed Haydn's Sonata in E minor, Hob:XVI/34 (I will refer to the sonata by the Landon number rather than the older Hoboken number).

Mr. McCabe certainly plays quite cleanly, as one would expect in this day and age. In addition, he provides extensive program notes (Mr. McCabe is a respected musicologist)

Unfortunately, Mr. McCabe isn't quite the performer one would expect to produce the entire output of Haydn's Sonatas. First of all, his tempos are usually not well suited to the music's style (whether in the Allegros or Adagios). Though this has somewhat to due with his lesser technical ability, it also has to do with his idea of interpretation, which to say the least, is quite boring. In the Sonata No. 34, the opening movement has a very particular character. Though it is one of Haydn's few sonatas in a minor key, the opening motive returns in many forms throughout the first movement. Mr. McCabe seems to miss the point of this, along with the importance of articulation (which is of utmost importance in the music of Haydn).

Mr. McCabe uses far too much pedal throughout (especially in the first movement). In the second movement, his imprecise pedaling detracts from the recitative quality (this movement being influenced from Haydn's knowledge of vocal writing and operatic traditions). The third movement is quite slow and the lively character is missing.

I don't believe that one can put Mr. McCabe's recordings on a level with great Haydn interpreters such as Ax or even Richter (with far more color and more adherence to the musical style). This is unfortunate as it comes from such a respected musicologist.

As a final note, it is nice to own this collection to have all Haydn's Sonatas and his output for piano at your fingertips, but I would recommend Ax (or Andsnes in the future...his Haydn Concertos are fantastic).

Much unknown music to assimilate.......2005-04-19

I can partially share one reviewer's opinion that much of this music seems repetitive and certainly that is somewhat the case, but I only listen to one disc at a sitting. It takes time to get to know these sonatas. The Mozart sonatas are more widely performed, and therefore known to the music listening public. At this point in my experience, I must admit that I prefer the Mozart sonatas, but I am gaining an appreciation for those of Haydn.

The quality of the recording is good with very little background noise or noticeable distortion. The piano seem OK for the type of music and if one reviewer thinks these are twangy, listen to these sonatas on an eighteenth century pianoforte.

Mr. McCabe is a competent player without any idiosyncracies which seems in keeping with these sonatas.

I received a boxed set that had two disc sixes and no disc three. Ah, German precision.

the greatest penny a note composer.......2005-04-02

I have listened to all 62 sonatas for keyboard and perhaps 3 of them rise to the level of wonderful composition. If you listen to them you hear he doesn't really "get started " until about sonata 32, compared with say Beethoven who except for 3 or 4 composed 32 of the greatest piano sonatas the world will ever hear. I have attempted to give Haydn a fair hearing for symphonic ( boring ) and keyboard works but for the most part he must get the award for not really being able to put 2 consecutive asthetic notes together. The Nelson Mass is very nice. And I know in his last years, Europe just adored him. He was earning upward in todays dollars of $85,000, which just galled Mozart.Finally the sonatas are performed and recorded well.Before purchasing these sonatas listen to the clips and see if you dont want to run screaming into the night, but if you are a boring person with absolutely no musical asthetic, these sonatas cant be beat!

The best complete set of Haydn Sonatas at any price.......2004-05-22

Other individual performances may "grab" you more than these, but as a whole I could not find fault with these performances. They are particularly satisfying if you follow with a score - you get to see the choices in ornamentation, dynamics, etc. that McCabe makes compared with what is on the printed page. I did several comparisons with other performers (I own 4 complete sets of these sonatas and several smaller compilations), and McCabe consistently comes out on top overall, in my opinion. Haydn's best sonatas are consistently more inventive, witty, and daring than Mozart's and are definitely worth your attention.

Excellent performances of rarely heard works.......2004-05-16

Rich & delicious entertainment. Delighted that one can enjoy this beautiful music of pieces which are rarely publicly performed.

Haydn: String Quartets, Opp. 51, 54, 55, 64, 71, 74

Average customer rating:

essential Haydn quartets
Rock Me Amadeus

Haydn: String Quartets, Opp. 51, 54, 55, 64, 71, 74

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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ASIN: B0002U9G9E
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Customer Reviews:

essential Haydn quartets.......2007-07-11

I have a tendency to be a completist, however, experience tells me that typically not all of a composer's works within a certain genre are equally appealing. There are a number of exceptions - Beethoven immediately comes to mind - but I don't, for example, feel compelled to have all the symphonies of Mozart (but I do have all the piano sonatas & concertos & listen to all of them, although some are more inspired than others). Even though Haydn was a genius, he was also a very prolific composer, & not everything he wrote was equally memorable (one critic, reviewing a set of complete Haydn quartets, referred to some of his early quartets as "equivalents of today's elevator music.") Now, if you acquire this Haydn set which includes 18 quartets plus op. 51, along with a 3 disc set of quartets that include op 76, 77 & 103 (also performed by the Amadeus Quartet on DGG), you'll find that between both sets you'll have a comprehensive survey of the best of Haydn's quartets. There is a ton of great chamber music here.

I'm not a Haydn expert, so I can't vouch for the performances except to say that the Amadeus Quartet (active 1947-87) was a highly regarded ensemble that recorded extensively during that time (complete Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms quartets etc). These discs were recorded between 1971-1978 & the sound is consistently fine.

This 7 cd package is one of DGG's collector editions that is usually available through an Amazon reseller for considerably less than the list price, which makes it an outstanding bargain.

Highly recommended!

Rock Me Amadeus.......2005-08-31

A few years ago my father got me the Angeles Quartet box set of the complete Haydn String Quartets. It took me a while to listen to and absorb all 21 discs, but after a time I decided to give it back to dad for a spin. Not a huge string quartet collector, he had a few Naxos discs of the various Haydn opuses, but nothing comprehensive. Well he quickly fell in love with the Angeles performances, and since the box took up so little space on his over-crowded CD shelves, he decided that the loan of this set might be extended indefinitely. He offered me his Naxos titles, but I declined, and thought about getting the Aeolian box on Decca/London instead. I then came across this 7CD set in DG's "Collectors Edition" series by the acclaimed Amadeus String Quartet. I purchased it along with their "Trio" title collecting opp. 76, 77 & 103, and realized ten discs of Haydn SQs as a secondary set was plenty. I had been previously impressed by Amadeus on other recordings (see my reviews of their Schubert and Brahms/Dvorak discs), and they are in top flight form on the Haydn works as well. The Angeles set offers extraordinary music for a better overall value, but if you want a lot, but not necessarily all, of the Haydn String Quartets, you can't go wrong with Amadeus.

Haydn: Die Sieben Letzten Worte Unseres Erlsers Am Kreuze

Average customer rating:

Devout, yes; the best? No
One for the Devout
Very good performance of 'Seven Last Words'

Haydn: Die Sieben Letzten Worte Unseres Erlsers Am Kreuze

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000SDC
Release Date: 1992-06-02

Tracks:

The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross: Intruduzione
The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross: No. 1 'Vater, vergib ihnen'
The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross: No. 2 'Furwahr, ich sag' es dir'
The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross: No. 3 'Frau, hier siehe deinen Sihn'
The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross: No. 4 'Mein Gott, mein Gott'
The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross: Introduzione
The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross: No. 5 'Jesus rufet'
The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross: No. 6 'Es ist vollbracht'
The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross: No. 7 'Vater, in deine Hande'
The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross: Terremoto 'Er ist nicht mehr'

Amazon.com

This was, at one time, the most popular piece of music that Haydn composed. It was originally written as a series of eight slow movements (an introduction, then the seven "words") and a final "earthquake" designed to be performed in a Spanish church during Holy Week. So famous did the music become that some hack made a vocal version of the work, which Haydn felt he could do much better himself. So he created this oratorio, as well as making (or approving) arrangements for string quartet and solo piano! For the vocal version, he divided the work into two parts and added a stunning introduction to the second part for wind band alone. The result is unique in music of the classical period in its emotional intensity and Romantic expressiveness. Nickolaus Harnoncourt directs what is quite simply the best performance of this version of the work. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Devout, yes; the best? No.......2007-04-06

David Hurwitz's comment that this is "simply the best performance available" either means he hasn't heard many or he is on payroll of this production company. When I sang this music some years back I listened to every recording there was and I've purchased a number of others since that time.

The best version currently before the public is also one of the cheapest to buy, a performance by a bunch of people you never heard of on the Brilliant Classics label (ASIN: B00008UAN8 or read my review.) That recording is newer than Harnoncourt's, has none of his annoying personal characteristics, is better sung, better produced, has more immediate and more finely detailed sound, and costs about one-third the price. For those that demand to spend full price money on a CD, the recent re-release of Rilling's excellent version (ASIN: B000003JTA) is avaiable with an extra from Michael Haydn.

Why anyone would hand their hat on this version mystifies me. The one advantage it has is it stays in print while others fade away. Fortunately, the Brilliant Classics version is still available. Get it while you can.

One for the Devout.......2005-03-04

This sensitive performance of Haydn's choral masterpiece "The Seven Last Words" would be the one I'd recommend for the listener who likes his/her religious music sincere and affecting. Harnoncourt milks every phrase for meaning and nuance (which doesn't always happen in the frequently-rushed milieu of historically informed performance (HIP)). For me though it gets a bit tiring to hear everyone caressing every single note like that and being so tender and tentative. I'm more comfortable with Hermann Scherchen's 1962 Vienna recording on Westminster. It's more businesslike, but still has plenty of affecting passages. But then Harnoncourt appears to be more complete, giving us the "Introduzione" before Word No. 5. Not that I felt I was robbed for all these years by not hearing it, but it does work well as a prelude to No. 5.

But whatever the case, please be assured this is A-plus music of its kind. You won't be sorry you got to know it.

Very good performance of 'Seven Last Words'.......2001-03-21

This is a very good performance of the 'Seven Last Words' from Haydn. Note that it is the vocal version, not the earlier solely instrumental version. Especially the choir and the concert are remarkable. In my personal opinion, the soloists are good as well, but this is sometimes a matter of personal taste. I think this performance is one of the few from a reknowned conductor, although many other versions exist conducted by less reknowned conductors and/or choirs, which results in few competing versions. Recommended!

Average customer rating:

Great CD

Classical Music For Contemplation

Manufacturer: Celestial Harmonies
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000007YK
Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

I: Baroque: Air From Ste No. 3 In D BWV 1068 - Capella Istroplitana Jaroslav Dvorak
I: Baroque: Adagio From Vc Con In c RV 434 - Gyorgy Kertesz
I: Baroque: Largo From Con For Kbd, Strs And Basso Bc In f BWV 1056 - Hae-won Chang
I: Baroque: Adagio-Allegro-Adagio From Con Grosso In g Op. 6 No.8 (Christmas Con) - Capella Istropolitana/Jaroslav Kr(e)chek
I: Baroque: Adagio In g - Capella Istropolitana/Richard Edlinger
II: Slow Motion Emotion: Adagio From Cl Con In A KV 622 - Ernst Ottensamer
II: Slow Motion Emotion: Lento Assai, Cantante E Tranquillo From Strs Qt No. 16 In F Op.135 - Danubius Qt
II: Slow Motion Emotion: Adagio For Strs - Capella Istropolitana
II: Slow Motion Emotion: Sonata 2 From The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross H. III - Kodaly Qt
III: Soaring Spiritually: Agnus Dei From Missa Papae Marcelli - Oxford Camerata/Jeremy Summerly
III: Soaring Spiritually: Aria From Goldberg Variations BWV 988 - Chen Pi-Hsien
III: Soaring Spiritually: Et In Terra From Gloria - Oxford Camerata/Jeremy Summerly
III: Soaring Spiritually: Arioso From Italian Con In F BWV 971 - Joseph Banowetz
III: Soaring Spiritually: In Paradisum From Requiem - Schola Cantorum Of Oxford/Jeremy Summerly

Album Description

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Fine Music presenter Jaroslav Kovaricek, Ph.D., compiled the selection of classical music from the Adagio (Complete Edition) series. Jaroslav designed the compilation, of nearly eighty minutes duration, into three parts, to be used for specific purposes.

Firstly, the album can be used as a personalized sonic environment. The beauty of this music can certainly enhance our feelings of well-being and take us away from the many unpleasant sounds in our immediate surroundings.

The second way of using this selection is to listen to it for its musical quality, to hear it purely as musical sounds, to hear every note and its dynamic and timbral quality. This process helps to build better awareness and mindfulness, to develop better sensitivity of our inner ear and improve our intuitive abilities.

The third mode of listening can be in the practice of personal contemplation, even meditation. Once we discover the hidden mysteries of great music, we open our inner ear and the music is ready to help us on our spiritual journey.

The first section, Baroque Movements, featuring beautiful and moving music, is designed for pleasant relaxation. The second section, Slow Motion Emotion, is more personal and can be used for meditating on a wide range of subjective themes. The third section, Soaring Spiritually, can assist our minds in acquiring a better understanding of ourselves and the world.

Customer Reviews:

Great CD.......2007-04-16

Great CD. I listen to this all the time when I am writing or just in a mood for relaxation and reflection. Great classical and instrumental music and a worthwhile escape from the noise and chaos of work, traffic, kids, and that dog that keeps barking outside.

I even fell asleep listening to it and never slept so good. I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Joseph Haydn: Seven Last Words

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00009WVRM
Release Date: 2003-07-22

Tracks:

Introduction
Father Forgive Them, For They Know Not What They Do
Verily I Say Unto Thee: Today Shalt Thou Be With Me In Paradise
Woman, Behold Thy Son, And Thou, Behold Thy Mother
My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?
I Thirst
It Is Finished
Father, Into Thy Hands I Commend My Spirit
The Earthquake

Average customer rating:

A Rarely Heard Haydn Choral Masterpiece

Haydn: The Seven Last Words of Christ

Manufacturer: Valois
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000E6G7CU
Release Date: 2006-05-16

Tracks:

Introduzione: Maestoso Ed Adagio
No.1 Largo: Vater, Vergib Ihnen, Denn Sie Wissen Nicht, Was Sie Tun
No.1 Largo: Vater, Vergib Ihnen, Denn Sie Wissen Nicht, Was Sie Tun
No.2 Grave E Cantabile: Furwahr, ich Sag' Es Dir: Heute Wirst Du Bei Mir Im Paradiese Sein
No.2 Grave E Cantabile: Furwahr, ich Sag' Es Dir: Heute Wirst Du Bei Mir Im Paradiese Sein
No.3 Grave: Frau, Hier Siehe Deinen Sohn, Und Du, Siehe Deine Mutter!
No.3 Grave: Frau, Hier Siehe Deinen Sohn, Und Du, Siehe Deine Mutter!
No.4 Largo: Mein Gott, Mein Gott, warum Hast Du Mich Verlassen?
No.4 Largo: Mein Gott, Mein Gott, warum Hast Du Mich Verlassen?
Introduzione: Largo E Cantabile
No.5 Adagio: Jesus Refut: Ach Mich Durstet!
No.6 Lento: Es Ist Vollbracht
No.6 Lento: Es Ist Vollbracht
No.7 Largo: Vater, In Deine Hande Empfehle Ich Meinen Geist
No.7 Largo: Vater, In Deine Hande Empfehle Ich Meinen Geist
Il Terremoto (Das Erdbeben): Presto E Con Tutta La Forza-Er Ist Nicht Mehr

Customer Reviews:

A Rarely Heard Haydn Choral Masterpiece.......2006-06-08

Haydn wrote four versions of 'The Seven Last Words of Christ.' It started out in 1786 as a purely orchestral piece written on commission from the Canon of Cadiz. It was a set of seven adagios to be played as meditations on the 'seven last words' (always called that, but in actuality the seven last sentences uttered by Christ) as read from the pulpit during Passiontide services. This version became popular and to capitalize on that Haydn then rescored the work and published it for string quartet so it could be more widely played (and sold). He also made a keyboard arrangement of the work. Then, in 1795 in Passau he happened to hear a cantata arrangement by Joseph Friebert, a provincial Kapellmeister who had set the Biblical words for chorus accompanied by the orchestral music. Haydn obtained a copy of that arrangement -- 'I thought I could have handled the vocal parts better myself' -- and took it home to Vienna to make his own arrangement for voices and orchestra. That is what we hear on this CD.

The choral-orchestral version differs from the instrument-only versions in that Haydn wrote orchestral introductions to each of the 'seven words' and added an instrumental movement between words IV and V; this striking 'Introduzione' is scored for winds alone. He also added words -- not from the New Testament but revised from a text by Karl Wilhelm Ramler by Haydn's friend and patron, Baron von Swieten -- to the dramatic final movement, 'Il terremoto' ('The earth moves').

By far the most commonly performed version of the 'Seven Last Words' is that for string quartet. This is probably because it requires fewer forces than any of the other versions besides the not very compelling keyboard version. I am familiar with all the versions except for the original orchestral-only version which I believe has been recorded by Riccardo Muti and the Berlin Philharmonic but which I've never run across. I've come to the belief that this vocal-orchestral version is the most effective musically and dramatically of the three versions I know.

This recorded performance is superior on all counts. Accentus is an extraordinarily fine French chorus that usually sings a cappella works. They are notable for their suavity and impeccable tuning under their founder and leader, Laurence Equibey, who herself studied under the doyen of northern European choral directors, the Swede Eric Ericson. I've never heard anything by the chorus that wasn't absolutely top-drawer. Orchestral support (and it's more than that) is provided by the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, an original instruments group with a particularly piquant sound. I'm not generally a big fan of original instrument performances but this group brings something special to the sound of the recording, a slightly peppery yet rounded sound that spices things up a bit.

Add to that the excellent cast of soloists -- Sandrine Piau, Ruth Sandhoff, Robert Getchell and Harry van der Kamp -- who sing in precisely the manner the score calls for: their voices arise from the choral sound, as if they were members of the chorus, not big-time soloists standing in the spotlight. The sound recording emphasizes this approach. Like all the recordings of Accentus I've heard, recorded sound is a big part of the effect, enough so that the Naïve's sound producer, Jean-Pierre Loisil, and engineer, Pierre-Antoine Signoret, deserve special mention.

This is a very special disc, one that I can recommend unreservedly.

Scott Morrison

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