Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets, Vol. 2: The Middle String Quartets. Op.59, Op.74, Op.95 [Live]

Beethoven (Artist), Juilliard String Quartet (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025QO
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,181 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Technically flawless, but not emotional, June 7, 2002

By 

Robert Church (Richmond, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets, Vol. 2: The Middle String Quartets. Op.59, Op.74, Op.95 (Audio CD)

The Julliard String Quartet does a magnificent job of presenting Beethoven's material in a technically perfect performance. To a student, this would be the place to start. Classical music walks a tightrope between precision and passion. The death of classical music will be when it is no longer fun. In this recording the Julliard String Quartet seems to be working, not enjoying, the music.

The material is, of course, top notch, the middle-period string quartets being my favorites. This was the point in Beethoven's life when he found his own voice (the "Eroica" period it has been called) but before his tragic loss of hearing.

The Busch Quartet does a better job of performing the music, but the recordings are at least 50 years old, so the sound quality is somewhat compromised.

That said, this recording by the Julliard String Quartet is the best combination of skill, sound, and material.