Immerse yourself in the profound and intricate world of Ludwig van Beethoven's string quartets with the second volume of his complete string quartets, recorded live at the Vienna Konzerthaus in 1989. This album, released by Warner Classics in 1993, is a testament to Beethoven's enduring genius and the Alban Berg Quartett's masterful interpretation of his works.
Spanning over four hours, this collection features some of Beethoven's most celebrated and challenging compositions, including the iconic "Quartetto Serioso" (Op. 95), the monumental "Grosse Fuge" (Op. 133), and the late quartets that pushed the boundaries of the genre. The album showcases the Alban Berg Quartett's exceptional technical prowess and deep musical insight, capturing the raw energy and emotional depth of these live performances.
From the lively and spirited movements to the introspective and contemplative passages, each piece offers a unique glimpse into Beethoven's evolving style and innovative spirit. The inclusion of a speech by Günter Pichler adds a fascinating historical context, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to Beethoven's works, this album is a must-listen. It's a journey through the evolution of the string quartet, highlighting Beethoven's unparalleled contributions to the genre and the Alban Berg Quartett's remarkable artistry.
Tracks
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18 No. 2: I. Allegro (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18 No. 2: II. Adagio cantabile - Allegro (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18 No. 2: III. Scherzo. Allegro (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18 No. 2: IV. Allegro molto quasi presto (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, Op. 95 "Quartetto serioso": I. Allegro con brio (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, Op. 95 "Quartetto Serioso": II. Allegretto ma non troppo (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, Op. 95 "Quartetto Serioso": III. Allegro assai vivace, ma serioso (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, Op. 95 "Quartetto serioso": IV. Larghetto espressivo - Allegretto agitato (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5: I. Allegro (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5: II. Menuetto (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5: III. Andante cantabile (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5: IV. Allegro (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132: I. Assai sostenuto - Allegro (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, 1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132: II. Allegro ma non tanto (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, 1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132: III. Molto adagio (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, 1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132: IV. Alla Marcia, assai vivace (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, 1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132: V. Finale. Allegro appasionato (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, 1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: Grosse Fuge in B-Flat Major, Op. 133 (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, 1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59 No. 2 "Razumovsky": I. Allegro (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59 No. 2 "Razumovsky": II. Molto adagio (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59 No. 2 "Razumovsky": III. Allegretto (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59 No. 2 "Razumovsky": IV. Finale. Presto (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 No. 6: I. Allegro con brio (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 No. 6: II. Adagio ma non troppo (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 No. 6: III. Scherzo. Allegro (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 No. 6: IV. La Malinconia. Adagio - Allegretto quasi allegro (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135: I. Allegretto (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, 1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135: II. Vivace (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, 1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135: III. Lento assai, cantante tranquillo (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, 1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135: IV. Grave ma non troppo tratto - Allegro (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, 1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59 No. 3 "Razumovsky": I. Introduzione. Andante con moto - Allegro vivace (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59 No. 3 "Razumovsky": II. Andante con moto quasi allegretto (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59 No. 3 "Razumovsky": III. Menuetto. Grazioso (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59 No. 3 "Razumovsky": IV. Allegro molto (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
Speech by Günter Pichler (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Günter Pichler
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: V. Cavatina. Adagio molto espressivo (Live at Konzerthaus, Wien, VI.1989)Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartett
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