Haydn Seeks the String Quartet: Franz Joseph Haydn and the Birth and Development of the Modern String Quartet

The long and illustrious musical career of Austrian composer Joseph Haydn was marked with great renown and numerous accomplishments, yet it was through his stunning contribution of the birth and early development of the string quartet that his innovation, wit, and overall creative genius can be seen in the peak of perfection. Accordingly, this article establishes the backdrop of both the origins of the string quartet, as well as Haydn’s life and own musical influences upon the modern string quartet. Beginning by painting a vivid scene of the first quartet performance outside Vienna, the article continues by acknowledging the controversy of string quartet origins. Within the origins controversy, a thesis is proposed which suggests the decline of the harpsichord, addition of the viola, and expanding tastes in music, each combined with Haydn’s ingenuity, diverse musical experiences, internal drive, boundless creativity, and patronic financial support, to ultimately result in the exquisite art form of string quartet. The article concludes by recognizing a number of Haydn\u27s significant quartet compositions, and celebrating their perfection as intimate musical chamber music experiences