The six string quartets dedicated to his friend Joseph Haydn represent a turning point in Mozart's compositional development. In addition to providing a full synopsis of each quartet this book examines the music in relation to Mozart's earlier quartets, considers the genesis of the six 'Haydn' quartets through close examination of the autograph revisions and looks at contemporary eighteenth-century analytical models. John Irving also charts the reception of the quartets, drawing upon a broad range of sources: Mozart's letters and diary entries, early newspaper reports, harmony/compositional textbooks, contemporary criticism and early biographies.

A vivid portrait of Mozart and Haydn's greatest achievements and young Beethoven's works under their influence.

Innovative analytical techniques provide a penetrating view of how Haydn and Mozart employ harmony in their compositions.

This collection consists of the sixteen listed string quartets, with separate scores for each instrument.

This study analyzes chamber music from Mozart's time within its highly social salon-performance context.