Joseph Haydn was the master architect of the string quartet, essentially inventing the form and perfecting it across a lifetime of composition. This comprehensive 22-CD set from the Aeolian String Quartet captures Haydn's complete string quartets—over 80 works spanning decades of musical development. You hear the form evolve from elegant Classical refinement to ever-increasing sophistication and emotional depth. The Aeolian's playing is historically informed and precise, capturing both the intellectual architecture and surprising emotional weight in these seemingly intimate conversations between four instruments. Haydn's quartets range from witty and charming to profoundly moving, and this complete collection is the only way to experience the full arc of his creative genius in this genre. An absolute necessity for serious classical listeners.