Joseph Haydn’s most significant works are symphonies and string quartets. In the latter, the composer experimented more boldly and discovered new means and forms of expression, which he later used in his symphonies. Haydn’s mature instrumental style is considered to have originated in his Six quartets, Op. 33, written in 1781, also known as the Scherzo quartets. The composer claimed that these works were written in “a completely different, new way”. Their music is carefree, witty and melodious. Only the first movements of the quartets are written in sonata form, while the finales (except for Quartet No. 1) are in rondo or variation form. The minuets are replaced by scherzos (Italian for “joking”) here. The quartets Op. 33 are not only characterised by the composer’s great humour attribute of scherzo movements, but also feature unexpected pauses, shifting pulsation of rhythm, playful themes and witty dialogues between the performers. Čiurlionis Quartet performs the Second quartet Op. 33 in E flat major (The Joke).