The 25 string quartets Franz Joseph Haydn composed during the 1780s were not part of his duties as Kapellmeister to Prince Nicolaus Esterházy; rather they were self-motivated and meant for the general public. By the end of the decade, Haydn’s reputation had spread throughout Europe and his music in great demand. He composed the six quartets of Op. 64 during 1790, the last two after the death of Prince Nicolaus. The death of his music-loving patron and the accession to the title by his musically indifferent son fortuitously coincided with the sudden arrival in Vienna of the impresario Johann Peter Salomon – the Sol Hurok of the late 18th century. Salomon was attempting to lure the composer to become the star of his London concert series, an invention for the newly affluent middle class. It took Haydn no time to agree, and by the end of December he was on his way to London.

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809)
String Quartet No. 53 in D Major, op.64, No. 5, Hob.III: 63, “The Lark”

Allegro Moderato

ENSEMBLE

David Felberg, Violin
Nicolle Maniaci, Violin
Kim Fredenburgh, Viola
Dana Winograd, Cello