i. Vivace assai 
ii. Largo e cantabile 
iii. Scherzo. Allegro – Trio 
iv. Finale. Allegretto 
 

Haydn’s Op.33 came after a ten-year gap from his previous string quartet. In 1781 he wrote this set of six pieces that have since been called the ‘Russian’ quartets, as Haydn dedicated them to the Grand Duke Paul of Russia. ‘Russian’ quartet No. 5 is also known as ‘How Do You Do’, due to the four-note sequence that opens the first theme, and that is repeated at various intervals throughout all four movements.  The second movement is set apart from the other lively and upbeat movements, holding a darker, more melancholy feeling to it. The Scherzo is by far the most playful of the four pieces, containing displaced accents and long pauses that constantly fool the listener into believing the piece is reaching its end. Together, Op.33 No.5 is a set of sophisticated pieces full of energy and momentum, that audiences have adored since Haydn first composed them.