Beethoven Late Quartets, Volume 3
String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Opus 127
String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 132
The Cypress String Quartet has finished recording the final late quartets written by Beethoven between 1822 and 1826 (historically known as Beethoven's Late Period) for commercial release. The final disc of this three-volume set includes Beethoven's String Quartet in E-flat Major, Opus. 127 and his String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 132. The complete set, as well as a separate Volume 3, will be available in March 2012. The entire Beethoven cycle was produced by Cypress first violinist Cecily Ward, engineered by Mark Willsher, and recorded at Skywalker Sound.
Purchase this album direct from the artists at cypressquartet.bandcamp.com
SAMPLES / TRACK LISTING
- Beethoven 127-1 1. String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Opus 127: Maestoso - Allegro 6:05
- Beethoven 127-2 2. String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Opus 127: Adagio, ma non troppo e molto cantabile 14:44
- Beethoven 127-3 3. String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Opus 127: Scherzando vivace 8:54
- Beethoven 127-4 4. String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Opus 127: Allegro 6:47
- Beethoven 132-1 5. String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 132: Assai sostenuto - Allegro 9:49
- Beethoven 132-2 6. String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 132: Allegro ma non tanto 8:32
- Beethoven 132-3 7. String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 132: Molto Adagio - Andante 16:12
- Beethoven 132-4 8. String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 132: Alla marcia, assai vivace 2:14
- Beethoven 132-5 9. String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 132: Allegro appassionato - Presto 6:31
Beethoven: Late String Quartets, Vol. 1
String Quartet in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131 String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135
When people discuss the greatest contributions to the arts in Western civilization, names such as Shakespeare, da Vinci, and Beethoven inevitably arise. Proponents for Beethoven cite his five late quartets, which were the final works that he completed. In this second of three volumes, the Cypress String Quartet continues to bring a fresh voice of humanity and clarity to these monumental works.
Purchase this album direct from the artists at cypressquartet.bandcamp.com
SAMPLES / TRACK LISTING
- Beethoven 131-1 1. Beethoven Quartet in C-Sharp Minor, Op.131 - I. Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo 5:44
- Beethoven 131-2 2. Op.131 - II. Allegro molto vivace 3:06
- Beethoven 131-3 3. Op.131 - III. Allegro moderato 0:43
- Beethoven 131-4 4. Op.131 - IV. Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile-Piu mosso-Andante moderato e lusinghiero-Adagio-Allegretto-Adagio ma non troppo e semplice-Allegretto 14:27
- Beethoven 131-5 5. Op.131 - V. Presto 5:19
- Beethoven 131-6 6. Op.131 - VI. Adagio quasi un poco andante 2:13
- Beethoven 131-7 7. Op.131 - VII. Allegro 6:58
- Beethoven 135-1 8. Beethoven Quartet in F Major, Op.135 - I.Allegretto 6:41
- Beethoven 135-2 9. Op.135 - II. Vivace 3:20
- Beethoven 135-3 10. Op.135 - III. Lento assai, cantante e tranquillo 7:17
- Beethoven 135-4 11. Op.135 - IV. Grave ma non troppo tratto - Allegro 6:56
REVIEWS
For Beethoven Late Quartets, Vol 1
"Another recording of Beethoven String Quartets seems almost unnecessary, but this one by the San Francisco-based Cypress String Quartet doesn't belong on the slush pile. Presenting two late works, the Cypress players converse with such rare sincerity as to make long-familiar music sound utterly fresh. Throw in their technical aplomb and rich, cohesive tone, in which every voice is significant, and you've got a pair of definitive statements. Happily, more are coming; This is merely volume one. Grade: A"- Cleveland Plain Dealer