The Lindsays’ enviable reputation owes much to their authoritative recordings of the complete quartets of three composers: Haydn, Beethoven and Bartók. Their recordings of the quartets of Haydn stand out in particular, setting completely new standards. The wonderful instruments they play on – two Stradivari violins, an Amati viola and a Ruggiero cello – make a significant contribution to the Quartet’s unique and unmistakable sound.

The Lindsays have made a decision which very few musicians dare to make: at the height of their international fame they have decided to disband the Quartet. Together with a voluminous discography, this DVD set is a testimony to an extraordinary ensemble that has not only set standards for the future but has also done much to restore Joseph Haydn, father of the string quartet, to his rightful place in the repertoire.

These seven quartets were recorded in High Definition and true Surround Sound during the acclaimed Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival in 2004.

Peter Cropper violin, Ronald Birks violin, Robin Ireland viola, Bernard Gregor-Smith cello

Repertoire

Plus
4Better 4Worse - A 50-minute documentary by Reiner E. Moritz, dealing with the anatomy of a string quartet and the way its members co-exist privately and in performance, featuring the Lindsays, the Danel Quartet, the Auer Quartet and the Jean Sibelius Quartet.

Reviews
‘Their playing has a human scale and involvement that make it ideal for Haydn…’
The Guardian

‘No quartet has promoted Haydn with greater missionary zeal than The Lindsays… An all pervasive aspect of the seven quartets, featured here in order of composition, is the ensemble’s burning enthusiasm for the music, and the overpowering desire to convey a sense of discovery and wonderment at the unpredictability of Haydn’s genius. …the creative energy of the performances provides a worthy memento of this ensemble’s immense achievement.’
BBC Music Magazine

‘The Lindsays’ devotion to Haydn, already well attested by the fine series of CDs from ASV, gains a further dimension from these performances … all seven are given with The Lindsays’ customary spontaneity and energy, and show their deep appreciation of how the music works.’
The Gramophone

‘…a very fine record of a quartet… great to watch … so in tune with the genre that everything they do appears to be the correct way of playing. …the performances are very good… This is a fascinating example of musicianship overcoming what everyone is used to in live performances. …many things to admire, and this DVD is required for anyone who thinks chamber music is uninteresting. A string quartet is likely to be the most intimate and personal statement that a composer can make, and the selection of Haydn works available here will be a fine introduction to those who are unfamiliar with the music, and a reminder to any young quartet about what can be achieved if you stick together…’
dvdreviewer.co.uk

CAT NO: OA 0920 D
FORMAT: All Formats
REGIONS: All Regions
PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9
LENGTH: 224 Mins
SOUND: DTS SURROUND / LPCM STEREO
SUBTITLES: EN/FR/DE/ES/IT
RELEASED: 01/08/2005
NO OF DISCS: 2