Johann Baptist Vanhal (1739–1813) was one of the most prolific composers of the string quartet during the last third of the eighteenth century, with David Wyn Jones authenticating over fifty of the quartets that appeared under Vanhal’s name. The six quartets of opus 33, published in 1785, were among his late works in the genre.

String Quartet No. 4 in D Major opens with an Allegro in 3/8 labeled “alla tedesca” (in the German style), which also refers to the quick triple-time dance popular in t...