If the recorded sound is aggressively loud, as transferred, yet responding well to taming, then the performances of these six masterworks are stylish (leaning to ‘period’ manners, sometimes illuminating, occasionally distracting) and well-balanced within the four players, each appreciating Haydn’s genius for wide-ranging invention and running with it. There’s a wit and sparkle in fast movements that are infectious and joyous, while slow ones are soulful, and Minuets can bring the biggest surprises, the Arod members in league with ‘Papa’ Haydn as to his originality, his penchant for song and dance, and his ability to be hand-in-hand with us on the same path or to transport to somewhere special. Of course, music of this calibre will cue numerous interpretative decisions: I for one will never lose my admiration for the Janáček Quartet’s wonderful 1963 account of the great ‘Fifths’ Quartet (Opus 76/2) although the Arod players bring their own insights that add to one’s understanding of the music’s scope, as for the other works in this collection. So, a warm welcome for this Arod release, whether as an introduction to wonderful repertoire or as a complement to favoured versions. Erato 2173287521 (2 CDs).
https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/haydn-string-quartets-op-76
Opus 76/5 Finale.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_Quartets,Op._76(Haydn)