Haydn's Op. 71 is a high quality set of three quartets written in 1792 and intended for London audiences. Often overlooked, I very much enjoyed getting to know them better. Particularly attractive are the soulful slow movements of each work.

I am mixed about the Lindsay's recording of Op. 71, made close to the end of the quartet's career. The first violinist, Peter Cropper, is sometimes criticized for intonation issues and they do "crop up" (haha) here, although sporadically - sometimes the playing is excellent, sometimes it is a bit out of tune. (By intonation problems, I mean that the note is played a bit off-pitch. It's not a wrong note, but not quite a right one either.) The other three Lindsay members are very good. The performance is spirited and expressive. I compared this disc to the classic Tatrai Quartet set and found the Tatrai to have even more intonation issues but they also were able to present the structure of Haydn's music more clearly, probably by underemphasizing its extensive counterpoint and complex accompaniment figures relative to the Lindsay's. In sum, the Lindsay disc is good but not outstanding. Sonics are first rate.