String Quartet, Op. 76/3 (Emperor)

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) deserves credit for largely inventing the string quartet genre. Though one can find earlier examples of works for two violins, a viola, and a cello, it was Haydn who took a rudimentary concept—largely dominated by the first violin—and made it into a mature genre, a conversation among equals. Among the last of his nearly 70 quartets are the six contained in Opus 76; the third quartet of that set remains particularly popular. This is partly due to an accident of history, albeit an important accident in the history of music and Germany. The quartet’s slow second movement is a series of variations on a melody Haydn had created previously. “Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser” (God Save Emperor Francis) may not be familiar by name, but you will recognize the tune. In fact, it may rank as the most performed melody in all of German music, for in 1922 it became the official national anthem. The anthem’s full text dates back to 1841. After the Nazi era, the division and eventual reunification of East and West, only the third stanza was retained for official occasions.


Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Für das deutsche Vaterland!
Danach lasst uns alle streben
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand;
Blüh' im Glanze dieses Glückes,
Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!
Blüh' im Glanze ...
Unity and justice and freedom
For the German fatherland!
Towards these let us all strive
Brotherly with heart and hand!
Unity and justice and freedom
Are the foundation of happiness;
Flourish in the radiance of this happiness,
Flourish, German fatherland!
Flourish in the radiance …

(c) Jason Stell