BRODSKY QUARTET Beethoven: Late String Quartets

BRODSKY QUARTET Beethoven: Late String Quartets 3CD 2020

The late quartets are among the last works that Beethoven completed, and are considered by many as the pinnacle of his achievements as a composer, and among the greatest compositions of all time. The Russian prince Nikolai Galitzin wrote to Beethoven in November 1822, requesting one, two or three new quartets, for which labor I will be glad to pay you what you think proper. This commission resulted in the Quartets, Opp. 127, 132, and 130, after which he went on to write Quartets, Opp. 131 and 135,and then the substitute final movement for Op. 130, which replaced the Große Fugue that originally had ended that piece and which Stravinsky described as an absolutely contemporary piece of music that will be contemporary forever. In this recording the Brodsky Quartet has chosen to include (emulating several other quartets) the Quartet,Op.95. Although this piece significantly pre-dates the others, in terms of innovation and compositional style it points strongly towards the later works. Since their formation in 1972, the Brodsky Quartet has earned and maintained a worldwide reputation for excellence and innovation. Exclusive Chandos recording artists, the Brodsky Quartet has won numerous awards and accolades, and remains committed to an extensive programme of educational work in addition to their hectic performing and recording schedules.

1. Quartet for Strings no 11 in F minor, Op. 95 "Serioso" by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brodsky String Quartet
Period: Classical
Written: 1810; Germany
Date of Recording: 5/2018
Venue: Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk
Length: 22 Minutes 02 Secs.

2. Quartet for Strings no 13 in B flat major, Op. 130 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brodsky String Quartet
Period: Classical
Written: 1825-1826; Vienna, Austria
Date of Recording: 4/2019
Venue: Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk
Length: 42 Minutes 36 Secs.

3. Grosse Fuge for String Quartet in B flat major Op. 133 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brodsky String Quartet
Period: Classical
Written: 1825-1826; Vienna, Austria
Date of Recording: 10/2017
Venue: Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk
Length: 15 Minutes 02 Secs.

4. Quartet for Strings no 12 in E flat major, Op. 127 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brodsky String Quartet
Period: Classical
Written: 1823-1825; Vienna, Austria
Date of Recording: 4/2019
Venue: Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk
Length: 39 Minutes 36 Secs.

5. Quartet for Strings no 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brodsky String Quartet
Period: Classical
Written: 1826; Austria
Date of Recording: 5/2018
Venue: Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk
Length: 38 Minutes 46 Secs.

6. Quartet for Strings no 15 in A minor, Op. 132 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brodsky String Quartet
Period: Classical
Written: 1825; Vienna, Austria
Date of Recording: 5/2018
Venue: Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk
Length: 46 Minutes 58 Secs.
Notes: (Cavatina mvmt. recorded 4/2019.)

7. Quartet for Strings no 16 in F major, Op. 135 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brodsky String Quartet
Written: 1826
Date of Recording: 10/2017
Venue: Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk
Length: 24 Minutes 28 Secs.

Release Date: 3 Jan 2020