Haydn - String Quartet in B flat Op. 76 No. 4 ‘Sunrise’
Allegro con spirito
Adagio
Menuetto: Allegro
Finale: Allegro, ma non troppo
The ‘Sunrise’ Quartet is one of a group of six quartets which Haydn composed in 1796 and 1797 and dedicated to Count Erdödy. At the time of their composition Haydn was regarded as the greatest living composer, and the large number and quality number of his string quartets led to him being called the ‘Father of the String Quartet’.
The first movement opens with a rising melody in the first violin, over sustained chords, in a warm, gentle upward curve, reminiscent of the sun rising - hence the quartet’s nickname.
The second movement, marked is sombre and despairing in its mood. It does not follow a standard structure and is more a less a fantasia on the opening five note theme.
The rustic nature of the Menuetto shows in its strong rhythmic energy. The music is entirely built on the opening motif and is followed by a trio section that also shows its peasant origins through the use of drones in the viola and cello parts.
It is thought that the last movement is an adaptation of an English folk song, possibly heard by Haydn on one of his visits to London. Light-hearted in mood and virtuosic in its writing, especially in the coda which provides technical challenges for all the players, this movement brings the quartet to a brilliant conclusion. (Source: Berys Cuncannon)