Allegro
Andante
Menuetto
Allagretto ma non troppo

The warmth of the friendship between Mozart and Haydn is wonderfully demonstated by the set of Mozart string quartets published by Artaria in the Autumn of 1785: ‘Six Quartets for two violins, viola and violoncello, composed and dedicated to Signor Joseph Haydn, Master of Music for the Prince of Esterhazy, by his friend W.A. Mozart.’ This was very unusual for the time: composers almost always dedicated works to aristocratic supporters, not to fellow musicians. The first edition includes a long epistle addressed ‘To my dear friend Haydn’, where Mozart writes: ‘A father who had resolved to send his children out into the world took it to be his duty to confide them to the protection and guidance of a very celebrated man, especially when the latter by good fortune was at the same time his best friend. Here they are then, O great man and dearest friend.’ Mozart goes on to say that they are ‘the fruit of a long and laborious study,’ and that Haydn expressed his ‘satisfaction with them … May it therefore please you to receive them kindly and to be their father, guide and friend! … W.A. Mozart, 1 September 1785.’ The Quartet K421 is the only one of the ‘Haydn’ Quartets in a minor key, and D minor is a key that Mozart used for some of his most serious works, such as the Piano Concerto K466 and the Requiem. The opening theme is marked by a downward leap of an octave that dominates the first movement. While the Andate is more consoling, the Minuet is one of the most anguished Mozart ever wrote. The finale – a set of variations – is begins wisfully, but becomes increasingly austere and agitated.

Nigel Simeone 2013