Haydn Op. 33 String Quartet No. 1
Title page of an early edition of Haydn’s opus 33 string quartets.
The Op. 33 String Quartets were written in the summer and autumn of 1781 for the Viennese publisher Artaria. This opus has the nickname the "Russian" quartets, because Haydn dedicated the quartets to the Grand Duke Paul of Russia. Other quartets in the opus have their own nicknames, but this first quartet does not, yet it is a stunningly beautiful work.
Haydn wrote that his Op. 33 quartets were “new and special”. He also states that “I have written none for ten years.” Haydn obviously considered this passing of time important and possibly he thought that his style of writing had developed during the period. From the late 1760’s up until this time he had written more operas for Prince Esterházy and possibly this influenced his future output.
The Op. 33 Quartet No. 1 is in B minor, one of relatively few quartets that he set in the minor key. The work opens with a ‘bright’ and positive theme in the violin accompanied by the viola alone but is quickly overtaken by a dark and insistent theme on the cello. This movement is followed by a dramatic ‘Scherzo’ in the minor and innocent ‘trio’ in the major. Haydn follows this with a virtuosic and singing style ‘andante’ aria movement. At times one hears echoes of his Seven Last Words. The finale of the quartet is a fiendishly difficult and virtuosic movement with glimmers of Bohemian folk music.
Things to listen for:
Note the very first notes of the 1st movement of the quartet - Haydn starts with the first violin accompanied alone by the viola, as mentioned above. He creates an interesting dialogue between the parts.
Hear how Haydn builds a climax out of the cello part with a rising ‘layering’ effect of the other voices peaking at [0:11] and then after a short dramatic pause, briefly reintroduces the parts in a melancholic canon before bringing back the former cello motif.
At [6:02] - Listen to how Haydn again uses a canon effect between the different parts which relates to the opening cello theme in its melodic shape.
LISTEN HERE:
Recording: Quatuor Mosaïques
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