Haydn: String Quartets Op. 42, 77 & Seven Last Words (2CDs, Hyperion)

Haydn’s ‘Seven Last Words’?heard here in the composer’s own arrangement for string quartet?is simply sublime, and a fitting testimonial to the composer’s deep, enduring faith. It provides an apt and generous coupling for the two magnificent Op 77 quartets, Haydn’s final complete contribution to the string quartet genre. Haydn: String Quartets Op 76 CDA68335: “Some of the greatest, most formally innovative, inventive and deeply felt string quartets ever composed, delivered by a quartet of players of faultless intonation, unanimity and blend.” – BBC Music Magazine String Quartets Opp 71 & 74 CDA68230: “There are moments where it’s really stunning and I don’t think it could have been done quite so well in any other way…wonderful stuff.” – BBC Record Review