The most celebrated component of the six Op. 64 quartets is the Fifth, in D, the so-called “Lark” of which Richard Wigmore writes: “The first movement’s unforgettable, winged melody sounds high on the first violin’s E-string, and is played as a soaring tune to the staccato march for the three lower instruments that had opened the proceedings.”
The theme returns in several guises throughout the movement.
The slow movement is a poignant meditation, while the wittily danceable minuet is interrupted by one of Haydn’s earthy trios.
The finale is a splendidly light-fingered, hectic tune…
Here is the Jerusalem Quartet to play this masterpiece:
