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Amadeus Quartet|Beethoven: The String Quartets

Beethoven: The String Quartets

Amadeus Quartet

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While not the first complete recorded cycle of the Beethoven String Quartets, the Amadeus Quartet's late-'50s early-'60s set of the complete Beethoven quartets may be the first great recorded cycle. The Amadeus Quartet was a part-Austrian, part-English ensemble that fused elegance and intelligence and expressivity with virtuosity to create a style of quartet playing wholly suited to the Viennese classics from Mozart through Brahms but which fit Beethoven like a hand-tailored suit. While other ensembles had recorded the Beethoven quartets before the Amadeus, none of those performances had the clarity and lucidity the Amadeus brought to them. Forty years later, the Amadeus' Op. 18 Quartets are still among the best ever recorded: graceful and gracious, witty and intelligent, polished and expressive, the Amadeus' performances embody all that is best in the "early" quartets. The Amadeus' Op. 59 is nearly as great: its complete control of tempo and texture clarifies the thematic and harmonic structures of the quartets and only in the most strenuous passages and deepest movements does the Amadeus seem ever so slightly out of its depths. Similarly, its Op. 74 is one of the most beautiful and expressive ever recorded, but it cannot quite express the unfettered fury of the Quartet Op. 95. Only in the "late" quartets does the Amadeus sound not entirely up to the challenge of Beethoven's music. While it plays it all superbly, there are times when it seems unable to get beneath the surface of the music to the spiritual depths below and one is left with the impression of great things left unsaid. For all the clarity and lucidity of the Amadeus' performance, there is a sense that it cannot quite face the ultimate profundities of late Beethoven.

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Beethoven: The String Quartets

Amadeus Quartet

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String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 No. 1 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

1
I. Allegro con brio
Amadeus Quartet
00:07:00

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

2
II. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato
Amadeus Quartet
00:08:32

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

3
III. Scherzo (Allegro molto)
Amadeus Quartet
00:03:10

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

4
IV. Allegro
Amadeus Quartet
00:05:40

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18 No. 2 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

5
I. Allegro
Amadeus Quartet
00:05:44

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

6
II. Adagio cantabile - Allegro - Tempo I
Amadeus Quartet
00:06:17

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

7
III. Scherzo (Allegro)
Amadeus Quartet
00:04:17

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

8
IV. Allegro molto, quasi presto
Amadeus Quartet
00:05:38

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 18 No. 3 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

9
I. Allegro
Amadeus Quartet
00:05:42

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

10
II. Andante con moto
Amadeus Quartet
00:07:58

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

11
III. Allegro
Amadeus Quartet
00:03:08

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

12
IV. Presto
Amadeus Quartet
00:04:51

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

DISC 2

String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 18 No. 4 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

1
I. Allegro ma non tanto
Norbert Brainin
00:06:35

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

2
II. Andante scherzoso, quasi allegretto
Norbert Brainin
00:05:36

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

3
III. Menuetto (Allegretto)
Norbert Brainin
00:03:45

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

4
IV. Allegro
Norbert Brainin
00:04:16

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

5
I. Allegro
Norbert Brainin
00:04:49

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

6
II. Menuetto
Norbert Brainin
00:04:54

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

7
III. Andante cantabile
Norbert Brainin
00:10:15

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

8
IV. Allegro
Norbert Brainin
00:04:57

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 No. 6 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

9
I. Allegro con brio
Norbert Brainin
00:04:28

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

10
II. Adagio ma non troppo
Norbert Brainin
00:07:36

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

11
III. Scherzo (Allegro)
Norbert Brainin
00:03:23

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

12
IV. La Malinconia (Adagio - Allegretto quasi allegro - Adagio - Allegretto - Poco adagio - Prestissimo)
Norbert Brainin
00:08:35

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1962 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

DISC 3

String Quartet No. 7 in F Major, Op. 59 No. 1 "Rasumovsky No. 1" (Ludwig van Beethoven)

1
1. Allegro
Amadeus Quartet
00:10:01

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Karl-Heinz Schneider, Producer, Recording Producer - Prof. Elsa Schiller, Producer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

2
2. Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando
Amadeus Quartet
00:08:28

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Karl-Heinz Schneider, Producer, Recording Producer - Prof. Elsa Schiller, Producer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

3
3. Adagio molto e mesto
Amadeus Quartet
00:12:08

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Karl-Heinz Schneider, Producer, Recording Producer - Prof. Elsa Schiller, Producer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

4
4. Thème russe (Allegro)
Amadeus Quartet
00:06:37

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Karl-Heinz Schneider, Producer, Recording Producer - Prof. Elsa Schiller, Producer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59 No. 2 "Rasumovsky No. 2" (Ludwig van Beethoven)

5
1. Allegro
Norbert Brainin
00:08:22

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Karl-Heinz Schneider, Producer, Recording Producer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

6
2. Molto adagio
Norbert Brainin
00:11:35

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Karl-Heinz Schneider, Producer, Recording Producer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

7
3. Allegretto
Norbert Brainin
00:07:07

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Karl-Heinz Schneider, Producer, Recording Producer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

8
4. Finale (Presto)
Norbert Brainin
00:05:24

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Karl-Heinz Schneider, Producer, Recording Producer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

DISC 4

String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59 No. 3 "Rasumovsky No. 3" (Ludwig van Beethoven)

1
I. Introduzione (Andante con moto) - Allegro vivace
Norbert Brainin
00:08:13

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Producer, Recording Producer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

2
II. Andante con moto quasi allegretto
Norbert Brainin
00:09:23

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Producer, Recording Producer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

3
III. Menuetto (Grazioso)
Norbert Brainin
00:04:41

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Producer, Recording Producer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

4
IV. Allegro molto
Norbert Brainin
00:06:02

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Heinz Wildhagen, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Lohse, Producer, Recording Producer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

String Quartet No. 10 in E Flat Major, Op. 74 "Harp" (Ludwig van Beethoven)

5
I. Poco adagio - Allegro
Norbert Brainin
00:08:34

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

6
II. Adagio ma non troppo
Norbert Brainin
00:10:05

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

7
III. Presto - Più presto quasi prestissimo
Norbert Brainin
00:05:23

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

8
IV. Allegretto con variazioni
Norbert Brainin
00:06:56

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

DISC 5

String Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, Op. 95 - "Serioso" (Ludwig van Beethoven)

1
I. Allegro con brio
Norbert Brainin
00:04:47

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

2
II. Allegretto ma non troppo
Norbert Brainin
00:06:53

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

3
III. Allegro assai vivace ma serioso
Norbert Brainin
00:04:20

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

4
IV. Larghetto espressivo. Allegretto agitato
Norbert Brainin
00:04:40

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1960 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

String Quartet No. 12 in E Flat Major, Op. 127 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

5
I. Maestoso. Allegro
Norbert Brainin
00:06:51

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1963 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

6
II. Adagio ma non troppo e molto cantabile
Norbert Brainin
00:15:09

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1963 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

7
III. Scherzando vivace
Norbert Brainin
00:08:04

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1963 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

8
IV. Finale
Norbert Brainin
00:06:27

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1963 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

Grosse Fuge in B Flat Major, Op. 133 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

9
Overtura. Allegro. Meno mosso e moderato. Allegro. Fuga
Norbert Brainin
00:04:40

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1963 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

10
II. Meno mosso e moderato
Norbert Brainin
00:02:54

Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Amadeus Quartet, Ensemble, MainArtist - Norbert Brainin, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Schidlof, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lovett, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Siegmund Nissel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1963 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

Album review

While not the first complete recorded cycle of the Beethoven String Quartets, the Amadeus Quartet's late-'50s early-'60s set of the complete Beethoven quartets may be the first great recorded cycle. The Amadeus Quartet was a part-Austrian, part-English ensemble that fused elegance and intelligence and expressivity with virtuosity to create a style of quartet playing wholly suited to the Viennese classics from Mozart through Brahms but which fit Beethoven like a hand-tailored suit. While other ensembles had recorded the Beethoven quartets before the Amadeus, none of those performances had the clarity and lucidity the Amadeus brought to them. Forty years later, the Amadeus' Op. 18 Quartets are still among the best ever recorded: graceful and gracious, witty and intelligent, polished and expressive, the Amadeus' performances embody all that is best in the "early" quartets. The Amadeus' Op. 59 is nearly as great: its complete control of tempo and texture clarifies the thematic and harmonic structures of the quartets and only in the most strenuous passages and deepest movements does the Amadeus seem ever so slightly out of its depths. Similarly, its Op. 74 is one of the most beautiful and expressive ever recorded, but it cannot quite express the unfettered fury of the Quartet Op. 95. Only in the "late" quartets does the Amadeus sound not entirely up to the challenge of Beethoven's music. While it plays it all superbly, there are times when it seems unable to get beneath the surface of the music to the spiritual depths below and one is left with the impression of great things left unsaid. For all the clarity and lucidity of the Amadeus' performance, there is a sense that it cannot quite face the ultimate profundities of late Beethoven.

© TiVo

About the album

© 1999 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin ℗ 1999 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

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