Haydn's early quartets are distinguished by their wit and freshness. There are six quartets in opus 33. This selection is the last movement of the second quartet, nicknamed "The Joke." This movement is a rondo with an ebullient theme. Haydn purposely wrote a confusing ending to this movement so that "the ladies would not begin talking before the music finished." The joke appears at the very end of the movement. Haydn prevents a normal ending from taking place. In the coda, the tempo suddenly moves to a serious Adagio, in striking contrast to the frivolous rondo theme. After only a few measures, the rondo theme returns; however, it is broken up by two measures of silence. With all momentum shattered, there are four measures of rests followed by two final measures of the theme. The result is confusion. Is the movement over?

Notice the balanced texture of the four instruments. Although the first violin still plays a dominant role, the independence of the four solo voices is nearly complete. The cello is confined to bass line activity while the second violin plays duets with the first violin or joins the viola and cello in accompaniment. 