original piano transcription of Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet Op 74 No 3 ‘Horseman’ (Hob.III:74) in G minor
composition date: 1793
transcription date: 2010 (June 02 – November 01)
complete piano transcription (piano solo arrangement) of all 4 movements:
- Allegro
- Largo assai
- Menuetto. Allegretto
- Finale. Allegro con brio
Score
IMSLP.org work page (download mp3 / pdf score)
Recordings
IMSLP.org work page (download mp3 / pdf score)
YouTube channel (embedded links below)
Comment
This quartet’s nickname (sometimes also called “Rider”) stems from the fourth movement’s first theme rhytmic pattern, I guess… but then also the first theme in the first movement could apply there.
The quartet is officially in G minor but if you consider the time ratio, most of the time the piece is in major mode – e.g. minor mode is mostly a façade, there are no moments that are truly moody or sad.
The Largo is actually in E major (a key “far” from G minor). I transcribed it at the digital piano and then ported it on the computer. I like it a lot but I’m especially proud of how its last bars turned out (I really dig that last low E, it gives me goosebumps everytime 🙂 it must be played pp but with “tre corde” pedal ) The accelerando in the middle section is a liberty I took while playing.