Joseph Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 54 "Tost Quartets I"

Album review

Along with the six quartets of Op. 64, the three string quartets of Haydn's Op. 54 belong to the group of works referred to as the Tost quartets. Op. 54 is not one of Haydn's more popular or frequently performed opuses. In some respects, these three works are more challenging for listeners as they represent Haydn in a somewhat experimental, transitional period in which he was searching for new harmonies, new treatments of individual instruments within the quartet structure, and new ways to manipulate form. For performers, this can represent an opportunity to revitalize and reintroduce Op. 54 to their body of listeners. For the most part, the Párkányi Quartet has achieved this on their 2010 Praga Digitals album. Perhaps most importantly, the Párkányi's playing is edgy, driven, and assertive, characteristics that make these lesser known quartets grab listeners' attention just as easily as the more familiar Op. 64 quartets. The ensemble's sound blends nicely on this disc, and even though the first violin carries the majority of the melodic duties, its sound does not overly dominate the landscape. The Párkányi possesses generally nice technical polish, although extended passages of unisons or octaves (particularly the finale of 54/3) can find some unfortunate intonation blemishes.
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