In 1793, Haydn composed six string quartets published as Opus 71 and Opus 74 for the Count Anton Georg Apponyi. The Apponi family was a prominent group of upper nobles in the Kingdom of Hungary (then part of the Holy Roman Empire). These quartets were composed in Vienna between Haydn's two residences in London.
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| PORTRAIT OF EMPEROR FRANCIS II IN 1792 |
Haydn published the six quartets in two groups of three, (thus the two different opus numbers). The most famous of the set is known as the "Rider" quartet because of the gallop-like rhythms in the final movement.
VIDEO WALKTHROUGHS
Opus 71 No. 1
Opus 71 No. 2
Opus 71 No. 3
Opus 74 No. 1
Opus 74 No. 2
