With String Quartet, Op. 2, No. 1, Haydn the burgeoning composer learns to hone his craft by perfecting his transitions and devise more inventive melodies. The opening allegro should be played so smoothly that the bridges into new themes are scarcely noticed. The first minuet opens in a light mood with delightful slurs on the first violin. The second theme is a bold contrast, conjuring up images of flirtatious dancers with smiling faces obscured by colorful fans. As the adagio glides in, the scalar figures of the first violin are joined to a muted ensemble accompaniment. Once again, the first violin provides the impetus for lovely harmonic invention, but never at the expense of overshadowing the group. Minuet No. 2 is less spectacular than the first, but there are creative moments in it, particularly those furry thirty-second notes on the first violin. The finale abandons too quickly the mood of its stirring opening bars, which is not particularly innovative, but does feature fine tonal balance.

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