Beethoven: String Quartets, Op. 18 [Box set]

On this CD:

1. String Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18/1
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

2. String Quartet No. 2 in G major ("Compliments") Op. 18/2
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

3. String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 18/3
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

4. String Quartet No. 4 in C minor, Op. 18/4
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

5. String Quartet No. 5 in A major, Op. 18/5
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

6. String Quartet No. 6 in B flat major, Op. 18/6
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio
Adagio Affettuoso Ed Appassionato
Scherzo. Allegro Molto
Allegro
Allegro
Menuetto
Andante Cantabile. Thema - Variationen I-V. Coda (Poco Adagio)
Allegro
Op. 18 No. 2 In G Major- Allegro
Op. 18 No. 2 In G Major- Adagio Cantabile
Op. 18 No. 2 In G Major- Scherzo (Allegro) & Trio
Op. 18 No. 2 In G Major- Allegro Molto, Quasi Presto
Op. 18 No. 6 In B- Major- Allegro Con Brio
Op. 18 No. 6 In B- Major- Adagio, Ma Non Troppo
Op. 18 No. 6 In B- Major- Scherzo (Allegro) & Trio
Op 18 No 6 In B- Major- La Malinconia. Adagio Allegretto Quasi Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 18, No. 3 - I. Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 18, No. 3 - Ii. Andante Con Moto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 18, No. 3 - Iii. Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 18, No. 3 - Iv. Presto
String Quartet In C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4 - I. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
String Quartet In C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4 - Ii. Scherzo (Andante Scherzoso Quasi Allegretto)
String Quartet In C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4 - Iii. Menuetto (Allegretto) & Trio
String Quartet In C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4 - Iv. Allegro
Allegro
Allegretto Vivace E Sempre Scherzando
Adagio Molto E Mesto
Allegro (Theme Russe)
Poco Adagio - Allegro
Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Presto
Allegretto Con Varianzioni
Op.59 No.2 In E Minor - Allegro
Molto Adagio
Allegretto
Finale - Presto
Op.59 No.3 In C Major - Introduzione. Andante Con Moto - Allegro Vivace
Andante Con Moto Quasi Allegretto
Menuetto. Grazioso
Allegro Molto
Allegro Con Brio
Allegretto, Ma Non Troppo
Allegro Assai Cicabe Ma Serioso. Piu Allegro
Lasrghetto Espressivo. Allegro Agitato. Allegro
Maestoso. Allegro
Adagio, Ma Non Troppo E Molto Cantabile
Scherzando Vivace
Finale
String Quartet No.13 Op.130 In B Flat Major - Adagio Ma Non Troppo. Allegro
Presto
Andante Con Moto Ma Non Troppo
Alla Danza Tedesca. Allegro Assai
Cavatina. Adagio Molto Espressivo
Finale. Allegro
Grosse Fuge Op. 133 In B Flat Major
Op. 131- Adagio Ma Non Troppo E Molto Espressivo
Op. 131- Allegro Molto Vivace
Op. 131- Allegro Moderato
Op. 131- Andante, Ma Non Troppo E Molto Cantabile
Op. 131- Presto
Op. 131- Adagio Quasi Un Poco Andante
Op. 131- Allegro
Op. 135- Allegretto
Op. 135- Vivace
Op. 135- Lento Assai, Cantate E Tranquillo
Op. 135- Grave, Ma Non Troppor Tratto. Allegro
Mvt 1- Assai Sostenuto--Allegro
Mvt 2- Allegro Ma Non Tanto
Mvt 3- Molto Adagio
Mvt 4- Alla Marcia, Assai Vivace
Mvt 5- Allegro Appassionato

Customer Reviews:

superlative accounts of the Beethoven quartets.......2006-12-14

The Alexander String Quartet doing the Beethoven quartets manages to combine a robust, cohesive ensemble tone with a lively sense of color and a deep, unshakable poise, and their controlled exuberance produced superlative accounts for a bargain of a price. Even if you already own a number of Beethoven - Complete String Quartet sets, this one features the viola, much like the Vegh set featured the cello. And the sound quality is excellent!

If you don't believe my praises, then check out these quotes...

*** These are passionate, hold-your-hats recordings that invited comparisons to the Budapest String Quartet. I haven't heard comparable electricity from anybody else in the intervening years, in a style where finesse is secondary to unbridled fury, force and velocity. It was the most exciting quartet experience in years. Their rhythm and speed were dazzling. ~ SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

*** Every phrase and line, every textural effect, every structural element, every sforzando, every legato, every hairpin dynamic shading, every articulation-in short, every musical detail-was performed so precisely, in so shapely a fashion, and in such perfect balance with every other detail, that I felt my mind irresistibly and uninterruptedly held deep inside the world of Beethoven's imagination, which was immensely enlarged-so to speak-from within. ~ THE SAN DIEGO READER

*** They played as a tight group, carefully responding to each other, balancing lines, mirroring attacks. At times, they were as ferociously impressive as a small group of precision fighter pilots going through aerial maneuvers at breakneck speeds. ~ LOS ANGELES TIMES

*** Their version of Opus 59, No. 1 in E minor attained a rare sense of mystery and expectation in the elliptical moderations and silent bars of the first movement, summoned warmth and severity for the slow movement and a compelling gusto for the finale. Every change of tempo was geared perfectly to the dramatic implications of the music. The Alexander Quartet is destined for greatness. ~ THE GUARDIAN (London)

*** Stunning Ensemble On the evidence of their Beethoven Op. 59, No. 2, this is a group whose synthesis of strongly characterized individual voices is resilient enough to take inspiring risks, and sophisticated enough to see them through with imaginative sensitivity. ~ THE TIMES (London)

*** Beethoven's Quartet in C major (Op. 59, No. 3) asked the riskiest comparisons with senior quartets, yet this performance needed no explanation. ~ THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

*** I continue to be impressed by the Beethoven cycle by the Alexander String Quartet, founded in New York in 1981. [The Quartet No. 13 and Grosse Fugue] are played with impressive power and lyricism. ~ THE DENVER POST

*** In Opus 135, the Alexander demonstrated a remarkable ability to sustain a long, slow line. ... 'Must it be?' was played with the necessary sense of inevitability that Beethoven's ringing, affirmative answer, both to the question, and to the contradictions of the human condition, 'It must be!' demands. ~ THE BUFFALO NEWS

*** These musicians have a sophisticated grasp of quartet-playing. They perform with an in-built awareness of each colleague's line, in terms of both phrasing and coloring. Tones are blended, there is a delicate facility to the bowing and a unanimous ebb and flow to the delivery. They also have a sensitive ear for balance, gradating their sound-levels tactfully. Such general urbanity was much in evidence for Beethoven's overblown A major Quartet from his Opus 18. Most memorable for compositional quality was the Andante's charming Viennese mix of inwardness and self-confidence, but the Alexander's committed integrity of approach was a joy. ~ THE BIRMINGHAM POST (U.K.)

Beethoven's finest.......2000-11-02

On the advice of the previous reviewers, I bought these recordings and have been enormously satisfied. They are indeed sonically and musically excellent. Let me add here that I would prefer a box of Beethoven's String Quartets (and this box in particular) over any box of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas or Beethoven's Symphonies. (New to string quartets? String quartets need to be listened to in ultra-high-fidelity, rather than in a car...)

What a surprise!.......2000-04-11

At a budget price, this recording of the Beethoven String Quartet cycle cannot be beat! I picked this up at a mortar and brick store out of sheer curiousity and mainly because of the cheap price, and I was surprised by its great value. The quality of the recording is not bad and the musicianship is outstanding. Their attention to detail makes their performances a joy to listen to over and over again. The balance is great and if you like a big viola sound, check out these recordings. Maybe not as impressive as the Emerson or some of the more well known quartets, but give these guys a chance and you won't disappointed. Don't be put off by the bargain price.

Get this set!.......2000-03-18

From the same label (Arte Nova) that brought you Zinman's extaordinary Beethoven symphony cycle comes this set of Beethoven's string quartets, which I consider nearly as great an accomplishment. Actually, I purchased this bargain set more out of curiosity than anything else. I already owned the highly praised Emerson Quartet cycle (see my review) and had been pretty disappointed with it. Needless to say, my expectations for this set were not very high...Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! Now this was more like it! In my opinion, this is precisely how Beethoven's string quartets should be played, ie. with technical accuracy combined with emotional intensity. The one thing that had bothered me most about the Emerson set was their seeming lack of emotional attachment to the music. The Alexanders have that "Innigkeit" in spades, which really makes their performances come alive. The Alexanders make the fast movements quick and exciting to listen to, the slow movements flowing and exquisitely detailed. The technical side of their playing is likewise of high caliber, if not on the Emerson's level. The recordings themselves are quite vivid with excellent definition and clarity. All in all, this set would be tough to resist at any price. At its super bargain price, this is truly a must-own! Yep, I think Arte Nova has another winner on its hands!

Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets [Box Set]

Average customer rating:

Late, middle, early
OUTSTANDING!!!!!
Early, Middle, Late quartets.

Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets [Box Set]

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000003FGF
Release Date: 1993-11-09

Customer Reviews:

Late, middle, early.......2005-06-06

Sorry to differ, fungfucius, but my feeling is the opposite. To me the late quartets are the best by Tokyo, the middle are very good and the op. 18 are not good enough.
I find that the op. 18 quartets by Tokyo feel too big to be really engaging - that was their latest effort and I think they didn't find these early quartets interesting enough.
I recommend the middle however, and especially the late.
The Tokyo interpretation of the late quartets I will label religious.
The middle are very nicely balanced and more evenly played than by the more exciting Takacs, especially op. 74 "The Harp" and op. 59/3 stand out. I like very much op. 59/1 too, and even more op. 95 (which is included by the late in the Takacs sets). Nothing compares to Tokyo's op. 95. For the Takacs, however, there is a lot more excitement.
The late quartets? Almost similar quality or better than the Takacs, I think. Here the Tokyo has an intimate, almost mysterious feeling, whereas the Takacs has an icy, slightly more dramatic feeling (perhaps, might partly be due to sound quality, which is extremely high definition by the Takacs recordings). For the op. 18 (early quartets) go for the Takacs if you like some sting, or the Alban Berg Quartet.
Some consider the Tokyo quartet "a machine", when it comes to middle & late Beethoven, I feel that is far from the truth, and especially so for their religious late Beethoven.

OUTSTANDING!!!!!.......2004-03-09

I have listened lot of versions of this quartets (Italiano, Melos, Alban Berg, La Salle...) but no one with the technical precision and german sound of this Tokyo Quartet's playing.

I love specially the last quartets, where Tokyo gives the best I know. Don't have any doubt about buying one of the top moments in the history of performed music; if you find them. It's terrible what RCA is doing with most of Tokyo Quartet's recordings.

Early, Middle, Late quartets........2003-07-16

Sorry about this! Only a very quick comment.

The Tokyo quartet is very good (almost wonderful) in the Early quartets; good in the Middle quartets; but disappointing in the Late quartets. They seem to not be able to interpret some of the depth and sufferings from quartet #12 onward.

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 1 In F Major: Allegro con brio
String Quartet No. 1 In F Major: Adagio affetettuoso ed appassionato
String Quartet No. 1 In F Major: Scherzo : Allegro molto
String Quartet No. 1 In F Major: Allegro
String Quartet No. 2 In G Major: Allegro
String Quartet No. 2 In G Major: Adagio cantabile
String Quartet No. 2 In G Major: Scherzo : Allegro
String Quartet No. 2 In G Major: Allegro molto, quasi Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 3 In D Major: Allegro
String Quartet No. 3 In D Major: Andante con moto
String Quartet No. 3 In D Major: Allegro
String Quartet No. 3 In D Major: Presto
String Quartet No. 4 In C Minor: Allegro, ma non tanto
String Quartet No. 4 In C Minor: Scherzo : Andante scherzoso, quasi Allegretto
String Quartet No. 4 In C Minor: Menuetto : Allegretto
String Quartet No. 4 In C Minor: Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 1 In F Major: Allegro
String Quartet No. 1 In F Major: Menuetto
String Quartet No. 1 In F Major: Andante cantabile
String Quartet No. 1 In F Major: Allegro
String Quartet No. 2 In G Major: Allegro con brio
String Quartet No. 2 In G Major: Adagio, ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 2 In G Major: Scherzo : Allegro
String Quartet No. 2 In G Major: La Malinconia : Adagio - Allegretto quasi Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 7 In F Major, Op. 59, 1: Allegro
String Quartet No. 7 In F Major, Op. 59,1: Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando
String Quartet No. 7 In F Major, Op. 59,1: Adagio molto e mesto
String Quartet No. 7 In F Major, Op. 59,1: Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 8 In E Minor, Op 59, 2: Allegro
String Quartet No. 8 In E Minor, Op 59, 2: Molto Adagio
String Quartet No. 8 In E Minor, Op 59, 2: Allegretto
String Quartet No. 8 In E Minor, Op 59, 2: Finale : Presto
String Quartet No. 9 In C Major, Op. 59, 3: Introduzione : Andante con moto - Allegro vivace
String Quartet No. 9 In C Major, Op. 59, 3: Andante con moto quasi Allegretto
String Quartet No. 9 In C Major, Op. 59, 3: Menuetto : Grazioso
String Quartet No. 9 In C Major, Op. 59, 3: Allegro molto

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 10 In E Flat Major, Op. 74: Poco Adagio - Allegro
String Quartet No. 10 In E Flat Major, Op. 74: Adagio ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 10 In E Flat Major, Op. 74: Presto
String Quartet No. 10 In E Flat Major, Op. 74: Allegretto con Viariazioni
String Quartet No. 11 In F Minor, Op. 95: Allegro con brio
String Quartet No. 11 In F Minor, Op. 95: Allegretto, ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 11 In F Minor, Op. 95: Allegro assai vivace, ma serioso
String Quartet No. 11 In F Minor, Op. 95: Larghetto espressivo - Allegretto agitato

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 12 In E Flat Major, Op. 127: Maestoso - Allegro
String Quartet No. 12 In E Flat Major, Op. 127: Adagio ma non troppo e molto cantabile
String Quartet No. 12 In E Flat Major, Op. 127: Scherzando vivace
String Quartet No. 12 In E Flat Major, Op. 127: Finale
String Quartet No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 131: Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo
String Quartet No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 131: Allegro molto vivace
String Quartet No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 131: Allegro moderato
String Quartet No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 131: Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile
String Quartet No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 131: Presto
String Quartet No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 131: Adagio quasi un pocco andante
String Quartet No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 131: Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 13 In B Flat Major, Op. 130: Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro
String Quartet No. 13 In B Flat Major, Op. 130: Presto
String Quartet No. 13 In B Flat Major, Op. 130: Andante con moto ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 13 In B Flat Major, Op. 130: Alla danza tedesco: Allegro assai
String Quartet No. 13 In B Flat Major, Op. 130: Cavatina, Adagio molto espressivo
String Quartet No. 13 In B Flat Major, Op. 130: Finale : Allegro
Grosse Fuge In B Flat Major For String Quartet Op. 133: Overtura : Allegro - Fuga

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 15 In A Minor Op. 132: Assai sostenuto - Allegro
String Quartet No. 15 In A Minor Op. 132: Allegro ma non tanto
String Quartet No. 15 In A Minor Op. 132: Conzona di ringratiamento : Molto adagio
String Quartet No. 15 In A Minor Op. 132: Alla Marcia, assai vivace - Allegro appassionato
String Quartet No. 16 In F Major Op. 135: Allegretto
String Quartet No. 16 In F Major Op. 135: Vivace
String Quartet No. 16 In F Major Op. 135: Lento assai contate e tranquillo
String Quartet No. 16 In F Major Op. 135: Grave ma non troppo tratto - Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Well played but uninvolved.......2003-06-24

Boxed sets of Beethoven -- whether symphonies, piano sonatas, or, as here, string quartets -- are a mixed bag. No one artist or group has the capacity to handle all of Beethoven's broad spectrum of expression equally well, so no one artist performs each of the pieces equally well. On the plus side, a truly great artist or group will give us a consistent lens on the pieces, a point of view which illuminates what others miss. The Vermeer are a well-disciplined group with an almost uncanny ability to sound like a single player. They are intelligent musicians, especially strong in conveying the logic and architecture of the piece, and they are meticulous and technically flawless. They have excellent command of dynamic range and tonal shading. And Shmuel Ashkenasy sounds passionate enough. If this were the only complete set of the Beethoven quartets, it would be a superior effort. But there is something missing. For all the apparent passion, there is a detached, uninvolved quality about these performances. Some of this may be the sound: Teldec's recording is detailed, with the requisite wide dynamic range, but it is also tight, airless, and unflattering. Curiously, the recording sounds "flat" at lower volumes and only takes on life with the volume cranked up a bit. But I suspect it is also a problem with the group itself. One problem is that the uniformity of tone works against them, creating a surface sheen that suggest lack of depth. Even the beautifully-proportioned phrasing, especially evident in the late quartets, is sometimes just too beautiful, and lacking that extra, probing quality that gives Beethoven's late works their spiritual power.

Given the Vermeer's strength in conveying musical structure, the early quartets ought to be strong, and while they are well-played, there is an almost humorless, dour quality about them. The first Rasumovsky quartet is a big disappointment, as well played as it is, and the slow movement in particular, for all its obvious passionate sound, is unaffecting and seems to lack emotional depth. The other middle quartets are well played, but only op 95 rises to an intensity of emotional expression that got me really involved. Similar problems occur in the late quartets, although these, as a group, the best of the set. Op. 132 starts off well, but the slow movement just doesn't breathe. The Vermeer's penchant for a nearly vibrato-less sound in softer dynamics works well, but the pacing is somewhat wooden and there is no space left between the phrases. The best performances are the op 131, where the Vermeer's understanding of musical structure makes for a beautifully-proportioned reading (although even here, however, the scherzo seems to lack humor and bite); op 130, which is ravishingly played, each phrase beautifully balanced and seamlessly integrated into the musical structure, but, again, just that little bit removed; and op 135, which may be the best performance of them all -- seamless, flowing, and just plain beautiful.

Overall, the difficulties the Vermeer have with the Beethoven quartets is one which I frequently associate with Karajan, whose performances can sound extraordinary on first hearing but don't stand up on rehearing because of that emphasis on gorgeous playing and a homogenized sound, no matter what the music requires, and a tendancy to stand a bit aloof. Some may find themselves in harmony with this; I find myself wanting more.

If you have heard only these performances, and if you appreciate dedicated and beautiful playing, they would be satisfying. However, there is a whole world of emotional and spiritual depth here that the Vermeer misses, and other performances, particularly by the Talich, Quartetto Italiano, Emerson, Lindsay, and (if you can bear the intonation problems -- I can't) Vegh Quartets, go that extra distance and bring us into Beethoven's spiritual world of music. All in all, a well-played and earnest effort but ultimately a disappointment. You can do better, and, I suspect, so can the Vermeer.

Great performances; great price.......2000-09-21

The Vermeer Quartet's 9 CD collection is also available as 3 separate volumes of 3 CDs each. This collection is priced about one third less than the combined cost of the three individual albums, making it not just a fine recording, but a great value as well.

The Vermeer Quartet is fantastic, and although the competition in these works is formidable, the Vermeer holds its own in comparisons to the others. The early and middle quartets are beautifully played, and the contrasting playful and dramatic moods are well stated.

It is with the late quartets that this recording really distances itself from most of the other versions. The late quartets are perhaps the highest level of creativity Beethoven achieved. These unconventional works, when in the hands of less gifted players, often fall flat or leave the listener befuddled. Here, the Vermeer leave the listener in awe, not with their own virtuosity, but with Beethoven's profound genius.

If you love Beethoven, and you do not already own another version of these quartets, do not hesitate to purchase this.

Music Track: