Following three acclaimed discs on Resonus Classics, Dudok Quartet Amsterdam is soon to launch the first of two CDs featuring Haydn’s six quartets composed in 1772, collectively known as Opus 20 and considered a milestone in the history of composition.  After almost a decade of playing his works together and developing and defining their own feeling for Haydn, the Quartet instinctively decided the time was right to focus on a sole composer for these new recordings which are supported by its 2018 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award.

With its imaginative approach and curiosity about programming, along with arranging repertoire outside of the string quartet oeuvre, the Dudok Quartet has set itself apart from its peers. Previous recordings with Resonus Classics established something of a pattern: Metamorphosis, Labyrinth and Solitude were all ‘concept’ albums featuring a classical work, a contemporary work and their own arrangement of work from a different genre. These Haydn recordings mark a significant change of direction.

The Dudoks also entered the recording studio with the added confidence that their new classical bows, specially commissioned for the project, had an important role to play. Tailored to their individual personalities and instruments, the bespoke bows were crafted by Netherlands-based Luis Emilio Rodriguez Carrington.  The Quartet believes they have made a dramatic difference to its playing of these highly emotional, virtuosic and experimental works and that they contribute another voice to its interpretations.

Haydn’s quartets 2, 3 and 5 were recorded at Muziekcentrum va de Omroep in Hilversum (Netherlands) and will be released on 4 October 2019 to coincide with the 2019/20 concert season when some of these quartets will feature in recitals in America and Europe, including a Wigmore Hall debut on 6 October. The remaining quartets 1, 4 and 6 will be recorded at the same venue in August 2019 for release in 2020.

The Quartet is named after celebrated Dutch architect Willem Marinus Dudok (1884-1974) who was also City Architect of Hilversum.  He came from a musical family and composed in his spare time, saying “I feel deeply the common core of music and architecture: after all, they both derive their value from the right proportions”.

To coincide with the CD release, the Borletti-Buitoni Trust will release a short film made during the recording, featuring interviews with the Quartet and with the bow-maker.