Beethoven, the composer, believed his later works were 'somewhat better' than his earlier ones, stating, 'what I write now bears no resemblance to what I wrote formerly'.
Composition History
Beethoven spent over two years composing his six String Quartets, Opus 18, following an 'apprenticeship' with string trios.
Composer Biography
Beethoven, the composer, revised his early Opus 18 No. 1 quartet, telling his friend Karl Amenda, 'only now have I learned how to write quartets properly'.
Critical Reception
When criticized for a 'Razumovsky' quartet, Beethoven, the composer, famously replied, 'Oh they are not for you, but for a later age!'.
Cultural Impact
Beethoven's string quartets were so influential that they 'sparked tremors that shocked the annals of composition for more than a century'.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Canada, with sessions taking place in February 1986 and April 1985.
Composition History
Beethoven, the composer, wrote a new, more appropriate finale for his Opus 130 Quartet after his publisher expressed concern that the Große Fuge was too arduous.
