Haydn's Quartets
Haydn Op. 33 No. 5 in G Major - will be performed by the Cypress String Quartet
Haydn's set of six quartets, Opus 33, were written in 1781, nearly 10 years after his last attempt at the string quartet form. When writing to potential purchasers of the quartets (as well as to Artaria, the publisher), Haydn referred to these quartets as being "written in a new and special way (for I haven't composed any for 10 years)."
One of the most prolific composers in history, by 1781, Haydn was famous throughout Europe. The Opus 33 Quartets certainly attracted attention, and at least three nicknames. Most often, they are called the "Russian Quartets," as they were dedicated to the Russian Grand Duke, Paul Petrovich (who was to become Czar Paul II). But, they are also called the "Maiden Quartets" (Jungfernquartette) because of a picture on the title page, and "Gli Scherzi" (the scherzos) due to Haydn's use of scherzo movements in place of his usual minuet.
The Opus 33 Quartets were considered highly original, and scholars say that the more mature Haydn (aged 49 at the time of this composition) was influenced by Mozart's writing. From Mozart, Haydn got new ideas about key relationships and about the expressive possibilities of music. Certainly the Opus 33 Quartets are more intense and dramatic than chamber music was at that time. All four voices are treated more equally, and each voice contributes to thematic development.
Haydn and Mozart met in 1781 when both composers were living in Vienna. They began reading quartets together, inspiring and often influencing each other. In the so-called "Composer's Quartet," Haydn often played first violin while Mozart played viola. After hearing and studying Haydn's Opus 33 Quartets, Mozart set about writing a set of six quartets, which he dedicated to Haydn. "I have learned from Haydn how to write quartets," he later wrote.
The fifth in the set of six quartets, Haydn's Opus 33 No. 5 Quartet in G Major also has a popular title: "How do you do?" It is called this because of the four-note motive that opens the quartet, sounding very much like the phrase "How do you do?"