Oslo Philharmonic’s Chamber Series Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Joseph Haydn

This concert is thematically connected to the performances on 12 February.

As one of the very first composers in the genre, and with a catalogue of nearly 70 works, it’s no coincidence that Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) is known as the “father of the string quartet.” One of the hallmarks of Haydn’s music is his use of humor. Due to its playful ending, the String Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 33 No. 2 has earned the nickname “The Joke.” In the final movement, Haydn inserts a series of hesitant pauses, as if unsure whether the piece has actually ended. The last pause grows increasingly long, until the quartet finally concludes in an almost whispered tone.

When Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) composed music for the clarinet, he often drew inspiration from Vienna’s leading clarinetist at the time – Anton Stadler. Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet premiered in 1789, with Stadler himself as the soloist. Today, the work is regarded as one that allows the soloist to shine, but it’s not solely about virtuosity. The quintet also features long, lyrical phrases, especially in the expressive second movement. At the beginning of the third movement, the string quartet takes the spotlight alone, before the clarinet returns to center stage before the finale.