Joseph Haydn – 2 Cassations in C major and B-flat major (Hob.III:6 and Hob.III:1)
These two cassations in C major and B-flat major by Joseph Haydn are part of a precious corpus of early chamber works for the king of Baroque plucked strings – the mandolin. Closely related to the Quartet in D major (Hob.III:8) con laute and the Sonata in F major (Hob.IV:F2), they likely date from Haydn’s encounter with lutenist Joachim Bernhard Hagen in 1755.
Some of these movements are early versions of later compositions, such as his string quartet Op. 1 No. 6. First published by Breitkopf in 1770, these pieces embody the galant style, combining refinement and clarity with expressive charm.
Far from being mere transcriptions, the cassations serve as genuine expansions of the mandolin and soprano lute repertoire. The boundary between these two instruments was often indistinct—something even more evident in the works of Antonio Vivaldi. These works were likely performed by mandolinists during the instrument’s golden age in late 18th-century Vienna, alongside contributions from Mozart, Kozeluch, Hummel, Hoffmann, and Giuliani.
A historically significant and musically rewarding set for any performer or scholar of classical mandolin repertoire.
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Cassation in C major (Hob.III:6)
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Cassation in B-flat major (Hob.III:1)
| Level | 4 |
| NumberOfPages | 48 |
| Publisher | Les Productions d'OZ |
| Contributors | Haydn, Joseph(Composer) Beer-Demander, Vincent(Arranger) |
| ISBN | 9782898523519 |