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Haydn: “Emperor” Quartet
String quartet · about 25–32 minutes

Haydn: String Quartet in C, Op. 76 No. 3 “Emperor”

A late Haydn quartet that a steady amateur group can read with pleasure. In the slow movement every player gets a turn at a hymn tune many people will recognise.
Intermediate
For 2 violins, viola and cello
Players
2 violins, viola and cello
Difficulty
Intermediate, judged by the hardest part
Length
About 25–32 minutes
Written
1797
Also known as
Op. 76 No. 3 · Hob. III:77 · Kaiserquartett
Free parts
Score and parts on IMSLP

Part by part

The piece is rated by its hardest part. Here is how each part compares, so a group can see who will need to practise most.
Violin 1
Leads in the fast movements, with some high and quick passages in the finale. In the slow movement it weaves decoration around the hymn while the others have it.
Intermediate
Violin 2
Carries the hymn in the first variation, against a busy first-violin line. Elsewhere mostly harmony and rhythm.
Intermediate
Viola
Has the hymn in the third variation, a lovely exposed moment. Otherwise a solid inner part.
Intermediate
Cello
Takes the tune in the second variation, in a comfortable singing range, then returns to the bass.
Intermediate

The movements

I. Allegro. Almost everything grows from one short opening figure. Bright and energetic; watch for sudden loud and soft changes.
II. Poco adagio cantabile. The hymn, then four variations: the tune passes to the second violin, the cello and the viola in turn, and the last variation gives it new harmonies. Whoever has the tune should sing; the others stay under it.
III. Menuetto. Allegro. A lively minuet with a quieter trio in A minor. Short and easy to put together.
IV. Finale. Presto. Fast and forceful, mostly in C minor, only turning to C major near the end. The hardest movement to keep together.

Reading it together for the first time

Start with the slow movement: every player gets the tune at some point, and it reads well at sight.
In the variations, the player with the hymn sets the tempo and the others listen and follow.
Take the finale under tempo the first time; Presto is fast and the first violin has the most to do.
IMSLP has several early editions of the parts. Pick one and make sure all four players use it.

About the piece

The six Op. 76 quartets were commissioned by Count Joseph Erdődy, and Haydn dedicated them to him. They were first published in 1799.
The nickname comes from the slow movement, a set of variations on Haydn’s own hymn “Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser”, written for Emperor Francis II and first sung in Vienna’s Burgtheater on the emperor’s birthday, February 12, 1797. The same melody was later used for the Deutschlandlied, whose third verse is now Germany’s national anthem.

Hear it live

No performances in New York, Boston, the Bay Area or Los Angeles on our listings right now. We update them every week.

What to play next

Haydn · String Quartet in B-flat, Op. 76 No. 4 “Sunrise”
From the same set and at the same level, with a beautiful slow opening.
Intermediate
Haydn · String Quartet in G, Op. 76 No. 1
Another Op. 76 quartet at the same level; a good companion on the same evening.
Intermediate
Mozart · String Quartet in B-flat, K. 458 “Hunt”
Same level, Mozart’s take on the Classical quartet.
Intermediate
Mozart · Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525
An easier way in for a new group before tackling a full quartet.
Approachable
Haydn · String Quartet in D, Op. 64 No. 5 “The Lark”
The step up in Haydn, with a much more demanding first-violin part.
Advanced
More in the full list by difficulty, or browse:
Easy chamber musicString quartetsViolinViolaCello

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Levels are Rhapsodate’s own rough guide, not an exam grade. Facts checked 2026-10-03 against:
IMSLP: movements, date, early editions from 1799 (Hummel, Longman & Clementi), free parts
Wikipedia: the hymn, its first performance, the commission and dedication
Hyperion Records note: date, which instrument has the hymn, minuet and finale keys
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