While he was working on his oratorio The Creation, Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1809) composed his String Quartets (6) published as his Op. 76 in 1796 through 1798. The String Quartet in D major for two violins, viola and cello is an entirely original work for a composer in his sixties, a work with a wholly unique opening movement, an eternally hilarious Finale, and perhaps the deepest and most personal of all Haydn's slow movements for string quartets. The opening Allegretto begins with what sounds like a beguiling main theme for a set of variations followed by what sounds like a second theme in the minor. But after an abrupt modulation to the distant key of B flat major, a new theme begins at twice the original speed and this is followed by an Allegro coda. The following Largo cantabile e mesto is in the distant key of F sharp major, the same key as the heartfelt slow movement of the slightly earlier Piano Trio in F sharp minor. As the expression marking indicates, the Largo's theme is both gloriously lyrical, yet tinged with sadness. The following Menuetto takes up the opening the Largo's theme as its opening, but its mood here is entirely open-hearted and cheerful. The closing Presto Finale has more jokes in it than any other Haydn finale. From the opening theme that sounds like a closing cadence to its exposition repeat that is always expected but never actually occurs, this finale is always fresh and always funny.

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