Appónyi Quartet

Count Anton George Apponyi was a relative of Haydn's patrons the Esterhazys. Although commissioned by Count Apponyi, the quartets that bear his name were actually inspired by a series of successful public concerts of Haydn's music in London organized by Johann Peter Salomon. These concerts made Haydn an international music superstar and brought about a decided change in the composer's style. The emotional, virtuosic and powerful music found in these quartets presages the spirit of the Romantic period. Following on their decidedly symphonic reading of Haydn's Seven Last Words, the Pražák Quartet is fully in tune with the grand gestures found in these first three of the six Apponyi quartets.