Musical nicknames are good for business. Haydn’s set of six string quartets, Op 33, has had nicknames for the whole set, none of which is very widely used. “Russian”, favoured by BIS, remembers the ...

The six string quartets of Haydn’s Op 33 include two of his most popular – the ones nicknamed the Joke and the Bird, justifying his claim that the works were written “in a completely new and special ...

Learning to appreciate classical music is easy for some and difficult for others. Some can dive right in the deep end while others need to tip-toe into the water slowly from the shoreline. The Serafin ...

The six string quartets that Joseph Haydn composed around 1781 - his Op. 33 - contain some of his most inspired and innovative music. Stephen Johnson joins the members of the Wihan Quartet in front of ...