The Haydn Project
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Emerson Quartet has made its first all-Haydn recording, featuring seven of his most famous quartets on two CDs. Presented chronologically, the program is arranged for utmost contrast of tonality, atmosphere, and character. The prevailing mood is joyous, as befits the occasion, though three quartets are in minor keys. The opening work, Op. 20, No. 5, is dark, brooding, and achingly beautiful. Its inner tension is released in passionate climaxes, its slow movement is serenely pastoral, its  finale a double fugue. This is followed by Op. 33, No. 2, nicknamed "The Joke" for its finale, whose coda is punctuated by several "fake" endings: general pauses of increasing length designed to tempt the audience into premature applause. To make its full effect, this "joke" depends on watching the players sit in frozen silence. Also in minor are the dramatic Op. 76, No. 2, nicknamed "Fifths" for its opening theme, which contains the famous "Witches' Minuet," a fierce two-part canon between the upper and lower instruments, and Op. 74, No. 3, nicknamed "The Rider" for its galloping finale. Op. 64, No. 5, is  called "The Lark" for its soaring beginning; the finale is a brilliant  perpetual motion marathon. Op. 54, No. 1, and Op. 77, No. 1, radiate good cheer and sunshine. The Emerson, whose violinists alternate, plays all this with its customary meticulousness, polish, and ease. Some of the fast movements are surprisingly leisurely, and at times one could wish for more inwardness or abandon. A third, bonus disc taken from earlier Emerson recordings contains movements of eight quartets, from Mozart to Ives.--Edith Eisler