To illustrate contrast in the overall character of the composition, I think we should compare and contrast Op.131 and 135. 59, No. Beethoven’s sad and dismal last few years of life are well-reflected in his late quartets, nos. 7-11 when he was 35-40, nos. 12-16. The three pieces on this disc are all for string quartet, or two string quartets (Gaggle and Flock). 12-16 in the final three years of his life – leading to them being conveniently referred to in concert and on recordings as the Early, Middle and Late Quartets. Unfortunately (for me — fortunately for all the music lovers out there! Early Quartets. They premiered in Vienna in February 1807 and were published as a set the following year. 2 I. Allegro The Late String Quartets BEETHOVEN String Quartet No. ), there are tons of string quartet ensembles, and equally tons of recordings of Beethoven string quartets on the market. 8 in E minor, Op. I only really know the late quartets and interpretively I enjoy all of these very much in 127-135, apart from Leipzig. The introductions are followed by performances of a middle and a late quartet, originally recorded for Baruch College in New York City this past summer. String Quartet in F Minor, Op. The Budapest Beethoven cycles is being sold at a special price- three discs for the price of two. Ars Moriendi, Latin for ‘the art of dying well’, in 9 sections, is an extremely personal composition, virtually a diary describing the demise of the composer’s father. 95, 127, 130 - 133 & 135 59, Nos. The "late" quartets, coming on the heels of the Missa Solemnis and the great Ninth Symphony, occupied Beethoven completely during the final years and months of his life. Allegro String Quartet 15 in Am, Op.132 (1825) - I. Allegro sostenuto--Allegro - II. Easily divided into three distinct groups, the String Quartets provide neat snapshots across the composer’s career. Razumovsky Quartets, byname of String Quartets, Op. 15 in A minor (1825) Opus 133: Große Fuge in B ♭ major (1825; originally the finale to Op. 1 and Op.132 and the last movement of Op.135. “To perform, say, the slow movement of a late Beethoven quartet is to attain a blissful state, liberated from the confines of individual personalities,” writes first violinist Edward Dusinberre. Allegro moderato - IV. Whether it’s contrast in general character, tempos, dynamics, or texture, the contrasts are dramatic. Opus 127: String Quartet No. Ludwig van Beethoven's late string quartets are: . A feast for all Beethoven lovers: our streaming event “Beethoven in close-up” celebrates the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth with the performance of all his string quartets and other chamber music for wind instruments. 12-15 and you’ll hear that each has a slow, chorale-like opening, not something we hear in the openings of Beethoven’s early and middle quartets. But nothing follows about what you'll like, or the earlier quartets! 95, “Serioso” The final quartet from Beethoven’s middle period is a bridge to his mind-bending late quartets. 16 in F Major, Op. Beethoven's five late string quartets are often considered to be the greatest music of the greatest composer who ever lived. This lecture begins your journey into the orchestral scale and profound lyricism of Opus 127. Find album reviews, stream songs, credits and award information for Beethoven: The Late String Quartets - Emerson String Quartet on AllMusic - 2003 If we revered Beethoven, it was as an unapologetic revolutionary, a beacon for musical reinvention in his late string quartets, his greatest music and among the … PROGRAM The Middle String Quartets BEETHOVEN String Quartet No. 135 IV. Take a listen to the beginning of nos. 13 in B ♭ major (1825) Opus 131: String Quartet No. 59 No. Upon examination of the late string quartets of Beethoven, the element of contrast seems to dominate. 14 in C ♯ minor (1826) Opus 132: String Quartet No. Or, put more grandly still, the … 1-6 when he was around 27-30 years of age, nos.