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Issued in Vienna in 1788 by Artaria, Haydn’s favoured publisher, this long-forgotten string quartet was, according to the title page, arranged by the composer himself from his Symphony No. 84 in E flat major (1786). Circumstantial and musical evidence suggests that this may well have been the case. String quartets everywhere will welcome the appearance of the first modern edition of this notable work, which has largely been ignored for over 200 years.
Over the years, Edition HH has produced intriguing new versions of often familiar repertoire, such as those featured here.[...]
With so much of the original string writing retained virtually note-for-note, the outcome works perfectly.[...]
If the absence of woodwind and brass is felt anywhere it must surely be in the final Vivace, which is one of Haydn’s most joyous and exuberant creations.
Even then, the result still works admirably as a string quartet.
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Music example
Full score and parts