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Haydn String Quartets: Op. 51 'Seven Last Words' String Quartet, Op. 54 Nos. 1 - 3, Op. 55 Nos. 1 - 3, Op. 64 Nos. 1-6, Op. 71 Nos. 1 - 3, Op. 74 Nos. 1 - 3, Op. 76 Nos. 1-6, Op. 77 Nos. 1 & 2, Op. 103. Amadeus String Quartet Following the marvellous opportunity to enjoy all 104 Haydn symphonies on 8 CDs for about £25 - Nimbus MP3 edition - the Amadeus Quartet's recordings of (27 later string quartets) have reappeared, in a collection in slip-cases, conveniently boxed and available for <£45. Some of our readers are sceptical of claims that Nimbus' mp3 recordings, at "the highest allowable bite-rate compression" are indistinguishable from normal CDs. Here is an opportunity to compare and contrast. Older collectors will be familiar with at least some of these well loved Amadeus recordings. They are supplied with notes by Tully Potter, who reminds us of the history of this pre-eminent group who stayed together for 40 years, disbanding upon the death of violist Peter Schidlof. Only cellist Martin Lovett still survives, and he continues to play Haydn - and only Haydn - in trio and quartet with young friends. Potter says of these performances that their style is so homogeneous that it helps to follow their recordings with a score. There is a satisfying "rightness" in the Amadeus' unaffected interpretations and small blemishes from leader Norbert Bainin's violin can be taken in our stride, even though his sheer technical virtuosity is not quite up with some of today's most high-powered groups. To celebrate the Haydn tricentenary in style, you'll need both of these boxed sets. Peter Grahame Woolf
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Haydn reissues on CD