Streichquartett Nr. 76 D-Moll, Op. 76 Nr. 2 "Quinten-Quartett" - Streichquartett Nr. 77 C-Dur, Op. 76 Nr. 3 "Kaiser-Quartett"

Joseph Haydn composed his Op. 76 string quartets in 1797 while in the service of the Esterházy family. These works, often considered the pinnacle of his contributions to the genre, reflect the mature Classical style characterized by sophisticated thematic development and expressive depth. The 'Quinten' (Fifths) quartet is noted for its brooding minor-key intensity, while the 'Kaiser' (Emperor) quartet famously incorporates a melody Haydn composed as a tribute to Emperor Francis II, which later served as the basis for the Austrian and German national anthems.

The Concord String Quartet, active from 1971 to 1987, was highly regarded for its commitment to both contemporary works and the rigorous interpretation of the core classical canon. Their recordings of the Haydn quartets, later reissued under the Allegria label in 2003, capture the ensemble's reputation for technical precision and clarity of texture. The release serves as a documentation of the group's interpretive approach to the structural innovations that defined Haydn's late chamber music.