Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. String Quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op. 127: Maestoso - Allegro
2. String Quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op. 127: Adagio, ma non troppo e molto catabile - Andante con moto - Adagio molto espressivo -
3. String Quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op. 127: Scherzo: Vivace
4. String Quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op. 127: Allegro - Allegro comodo
5. String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: Adagio, ma non troppo e molto espressivo - attacca:
6. String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: Allegro molto vivace - attacca:
7. String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: Allegro moderato - attacca:
8. String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: Andante, ma non troppo e molto cantabile - Più mosso - Andante moderato e lushinghie
9. String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: Presto - attacca:
10. String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: Adagio quasi un poco andante - attacca:
11. String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: Allegro

Disc 2:

1. String Quartet No. 15 in A minor ('Heiliger Dankgesang'), Op. 132: Assai sostenuto - Allegro
2. String Quartet No. 15 in A minor ('Heiliger Dankgesang'), Op. 132: Allegro ma non tanto
3. String Quartet No. 15 in A minor ('Heiliger Dankgesang'), Op. 132: A Convalescent's Holy Song of Thanksgiving to the Deity, in the Ly
4. String Quartet No. 15 in A minor ('Heiliger Dankgesang'), Op. 132: Alla marcia, assai vivace - Più allegro - attacca:
5. String Quartet No. 15 in A minor ('Heiliger Dankgesang'), Op. 132: Allegro appassionato - Presto
6. String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135: Allegretto
7. String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135: Vivace
8. String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135: Lento assai, cantate e tranquillo
9. String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135: The Difficult Decision: Grave ma non troppo tanto (Must it be?) Allegro (It must be!) - Gr

Disc 3:

1. String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130: Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro
2. String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130: Presto
3. String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130: Andante con moto, ma non troppo
4. String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130: Alla danza tedesca: Allegro assai
5. String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130: Cavatina: Adagio molto espressivo
6. Fugue for string quartet in B flat major ('Grosse Fuge'), Op. 133
7. String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130: Finale: Allegro (Alternative Finale)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57931 in Music
• Brand: Emerson
• Released on: 2003-07-01
• Number of discs: 3
• Dimensions: .43 pounds

Customer Reviews

Supreme recordings of Beethovens late string quartets
The Emerson String Quartet combine a strength of performance at the same time giving the listener subtle shades of color producing one of the supreme recordings of Beethovens late string quartets ever. They've almost done the unattainable, by producing a new approach to this old musical literature, while maintaining integrity. They bring a level of thought to these performances that have rarely been matched. Enthusiastic and sensitive interpretations rolled into one. Their approach to the late quartets is perhaps my favorite interpretation. The Budapest, Busch, Guarneri, Talich and Vegh quartets are also very good, but these provide technical brilliance and are faithful to the score, while being heartwarming and intellectually inspiring. Also, these are definitely not cold readings, but ecstatic one's. I found them refreshing and different, and still deeply moving and of course, thrill with excitement.

The main reason I recommend these recordings is because they're carefully edited performances, so well done in fact, that I never heard a single edit and I'm a headphone listener. They did a lot of takes (versions) so that they (the Emersons & producer Max Wilcox) could cherry pick the best parts within each movement, creating "the magic take" or at least something very close. I also read that they'd like to enjoy hearing these recordings someday, without worrying...could we have done it better? Sure, they could have done the "one take" perfectly (I've seen them live), but perfect doesn't necessarily mean...magical. They utilized the recording studio for all it's worth. Bravo!

These musicians have obviously polished their form to a high level of refinement, and anyone interested in the late string quartets of Beethoven would likely rate this set as a valuable addition to their collection.

Highly recommended.