Search - Beethoven, New Hungarian Quartet :: Middle String Quartets

A Foundation Set for any serious collector!

01/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The New Hungarian quartet here gives magisterial performances of the five middle String Quartets of Ludwig van Beethoven. And what performances of what amazing pieces! The three Razumovsky Quartets (quartet no. 7 in F, no. 8 in E Minor, and no. 9 in C Major, Op. 59/1-3) are masterpieces of first rank, thoroughly worthy to stand alongside the symphonies, and, in some ways, even richer. There are many things to be mentioned: the broad lyricism of the first movement of no. 7, and its stunning Second Movement, a piece like no other of its time, or since; the galumphing finale of the E Minor; the brooding slow movement of the C Major, and its thrilling, demonaic fugal finale; the delightful stylized pizzicati of the "Harp" Quartet. But the crowning achievement of the set is a shattering, incredible performance of the turbulent F Minor Quartet, which Beethoven himself called the "Serioso". The violent, elliptical first movement culminates in a coda which is a breathtaking cry of almost frantic despair; the beautiful yet bleak slow movement, which continues the strange otherworldliness begun in the first; the brusque "scherzo" which is anything but jocular; and the dark finale which finally breaks into a flood of light-- no other quartet has realized them better. A must-hear, must-have-- so look for it!"