Dip Your Ears, No. 11 (A Mosaïque of Haydn)

J.Haydn, Quartets, op.76, Quatour Mosaïques naïve	J.Haydn, Quartets, op.64/1, 3, 6, Quatour Mosaïques naïve
J.Haydn, Quartets, op.20, Quatour Mosaïques naïve	J.Haydn, Quartets, op.33, Quatour Mosaïques naïve

Haydn is the father of the string quartet, and his output in that field is impressive equally for its quantity and quality. Spirited playing of those masterpieces can be found with the Kodaly Quartet (on Naxos) and the Lindseys (on ASV)—to mention only two recent groups that excelled in capturing Haydn's quartets on record. If you like performances on period instruments, or simply Haydn, you must listen to the Quatour Mosaïques's take on the op. 77 works (or any of their other Haydn recordings, for that matter). Easily as spirited as the Lindseys and technically more accurate, they create a joy that is palpable, recorded as well as live. Not seemingly held back by their old instruments or historically informed performance practice, they are to Haydn right now what the Takacs Quartet is to Beethoven. Gramophone recommends for a reason. Smile!

See also: "No Room to Hide - An Introduction to Haydn's String Quartets" (Listen Magazine, Winter 2012)