Streichquartette d-moll op. 76,2 "Quinten-Quartett", C-dur op. 76,3 "Kaiser-Quartett", B-dur op. 76,4

Joseph Haydn composed his set of six Op. 76 string quartets in 1797, a period when he was at the height of his fame and arguably the most celebrated musician in Europe. These works are considered the culmination of his quartet writing, known for their structural complexity and emotional depth. The 'Quinten' (Fifths) quartet is named for the distinctive falling fifths in its opening, while the 'Kaiser' (Emperor) quartet famously incorporates the melody Haydn wrote for the Austrian imperial anthem, which later became the tune for the German national anthem.

This specific recording was produced by the Budapest String Quartet for Philips. By the time this session took place, the ensemble had established themselves as one of the preeminent interpreters of the classical repertoire, known for their lean, precise style and long-standing dedication to the quartet form. This pressing represents a significant era for the label, capturing the Budapest ensemble's technical maturity and their respectful, authoritative approach to Haydn's late quartets.