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.

The opening Allegro moderato of String Quartet No. 5 in G Major has a sprightly main theme that is announced with aplomb by double and triple stops in the violins each ...