Beethoven: Middle String Quartets [Box set]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Orion String Quartet (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Orion String Quartet
• Audio CD (March 27, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Koch Int'l Classics
• ASIN: B000J20V8U
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,316 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. String Quartet No. 9 in C major ('Rasumovsky No. 3'), Op. 59/3: Andante con moto - Allegro vivace

2. String Quartet No. 9 in C major ('Rasumovsky No. 3'), Op. 59/3: Andante con moto quasi Allegretto

3. String Quartet No. 9 in C major ('Rasumovsky No. 3'), Op. 59/3: Menuetto (Grazioso)

4. String Quartet No. 9 in C major ('Rasumovsky No. 3'), Op. 59/3: Allegro molto

5. String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major ('Harp'), Op. 74: Poco adagio; Allegro

6. String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major ('Harp'), Op. 74: Adagio ma non troppo

7. String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major ('Harp'), Op. 74: Presto

8. String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major ('Harp'), Op. 74: Allegretto con Variazioni

Disc: 2

1. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor ('Serioso'), Op. 95: Allegro con brio

2. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor ('Serioso'), Op. 95: Allegretto ma non troppo

3. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor ('Serioso'), Op. 95: Allegro assai vivace ma serioso

4. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor ('Serioso'), Op. 95: Larghetto espressivo; Allegretto agitato; Allegro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great bargain from a charismatic quartet, August 7, 2007

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Middle String Quartets (Audio CD)

The Orion Qt. is giving a two-year cycle of the Beethoven quartets here in Santa Fe, and I've just come back from a concert that featured the second Razumovsky quartet, Op. 59 #2. The audience was captivated by the forceful, virile playing of this group, which has been in existence for 20 years. They do quite a lot of contemporary music (Kirchner, Harbison, Lieberson) and Kronos-like crossover work with musicians like Chick Corea. For me, their somewhat aggressive, extroverted style doesn't always suit Beethoven's intent. But they sound spontaneous, without the polished sheen that can make even the best quartets sound too studied (I have the Emerson Qt. in mind).

Beethovven's middle quartets take well to a robust approach. There are no mysteries to solve, unlike the late quartets, and the Russian folk material in the Razumovsky group comes off as rollicking and uncomplicated. The various slow movements are a bit too monochrome, however. Don't look for musical depth on the order of the Budapest or Alban Berg Qts., or great virtuosity. The two violinists in the Orion are brothers, and my impression is that the first violin dominates stylistically. His solos are the most forceful; when the viola and cellist are thrust into the spotlight, their approach is more recessive.

In any event, the recorded sound is good, the price is certainly right, and the performances are engaging.