play pause radio-play skip-back skip-forward playing search copy check embed close plus caret-down caret-left caret-right caret-up chevron-down chevron-left chevron-right chevron-up arrow-left arrow-right open-in-new-tab filter menu more-horizontal more-vertical share share-android select star star-block volume-block volume-mute-block volume-mute volume lock settings recording composition devices laptop speaker
Log inCreate account

Beethoven: The String Quartets, Live from Suntory Hall, Tokyo, Vol. 1

3/27/2020, 24 Tracks, 2:35:56

Featuring

  • Jana Kuss
  • Oliver Wille
  • William Coleman
  • Mikayel Hakhnazaryan
  • Kuss Quartett
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

Did you know?

1/7

Recording & Production

The Kuss Quartet's complete Beethoven quartet cycle was recorded live in Tokyo's Suntory Hall, a major undertaking that required extensive coordination.

Source: Booklet

Interpretation

The Kuss Quartet adopted a new approach to playing Beethoven, prioritizing total spontaneity, openness, and freedom in rehearsals to achieve relevance for modern listeners.

Source: Booklet

Composition History

Beethoven delayed composing string quartets, conscious of the genre's rich history and the numerous masterpieces by Mozart and Haydn that preceded his Op.18.

Source: Booklet

Compositional Technique

Beethoven's String Quartet Op.18 No.6 features a poignant slow introduction to its finale, curiously titled 'La Malinconia,' a rare instance of a specific mood indicated in his music.

Source: Booklet

Composer Biography

Beethoven's String Quartets Op.18 were commissioned by Prince Joseph Franz Lobkowitz, an enthusiastic amateur musician and generous patron who also received the dedication of the 'Eroica' Symphony.

Source: Booklet

Instruments

The Kuss Quartet performed this Beethoven cycle on four 'Paganini' Stradivari instruments, on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation.

Source: Booklet

Composer's Artistic Vision

For the Kuss Quartet, Beethoven's quartets represent the 'Mount Everest' of their lives as quartet players, encompassing humanity in all its facets.

Source: Booklet

You might also enjoy...

Beethoven: String Quartets, Op. 18
Beethoven: Die Streichquartette, Vol. 4
Beethoven: String Quartets, Op. 18, No. 1-6
Beethoven: String Quartets, Op. 59, No. 2, 'Rasumovsky' and Op. 74, 'Harp'
Beethoven: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 3
Beethoven: The Early String Quartets
Beethoven: String Quartets Nos 7, "Rasumovsky No. 1" & 11, "Serioso"
Beethoven: Streichquartette Nr. 12 Op. 127 & Nr. 16 Op. 135
Beethoven: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 10, Op. 74 "Harp"
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127: II. Adagio ma non troppo e molto cantabile
Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 74 "Harp" & 95 "Serioso"
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 & String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18
©℗ 2020 Rubicon