Join the Melbourne Baroque Orchestra Classical Quartet as we trace the fascinating story of the emergence of the string quartet.

Did Alessandro Scarlatti write the first string quartet?

As early as 1725  his “Sonate a Quattro per due violini, violetta e violoncello, senza cembalo” (four-part sonatas for 2 violins, viola and cello, without harpsichord) appeared, but were they proper string quartets? Even though these works match the instrumental lineup of a string quartet, do we in fact have to wait until 1757 for Haydn’s first compositions for 2 violins, viola and cello before we have the “Real Thing”? And then Mozart’s breathtaking follow-up in 1770?

As well as Scarlatti, Haydn and Mozart, we bring you little-known gems of two Austrian composers, Asplmayr and Albrechtsberger to flesh out this wonderful eighteenth century story.