Beethoven: The complete String Quartets Vol. III Ariel Quartet

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 127:
• 1 Beethoven: String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 127: I. Maestoso – Allegro 06:52
• 2 Beethoven: String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 127: II. Adagio ma non troppo e molto cantabile 15:54
• 3 Beethoven: String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 127: III. Scherzo. Vivace 09:13
• 4 Beethoven: String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 127: IV. Allegro 07:34
• String Quartet in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131:
• 5 Beethoven: String Quartet in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: I. Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo 06:24
• 6 Beethoven: String Quartet in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: II. Allegro molto vivace 03:07
• 7 Beethoven: String Quartet in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: III. Allegro moderato 00:50
• 8 Beethoven: String Quartet in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: IV. Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile 13:58
• 9 Beethoven: String Quartet in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: V. Presto 05:08
• 10 Beethoven: String Quartet in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: VI. Adagio quasi un poco andante 01:56
• 11 Beethoven: String Quartet in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: VII. Allegro 07:03
• String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132:
• 12 Beethoven: String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132: I. Assai sostenuto – Allegro 09:46
• 13 Beethoven: String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132: II. Allegro ma non tanto 09:55
• 14 Beethoven: String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132: III. Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit, in der lidischen Tonart. Molto adagio – Neue Kraft fühlend. Andante 17:32
• 15 Beethoven: String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132: IV. Alla marcia, assai vivace 02:23
• 16 Beethoven: String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132: V. Allegro appassionato 06:46
• String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135:
• 17 Beethoven: String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135: I. Allegretto 06:57
• 18 Beethoven: String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135: II. Vivace 03:26
• 19 Beethoven: String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135: III. Assai lento, cantate e tranquillo 07:34
• 20 Beethoven: String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135: IV. Der schwer gefaßte Entschluß: 07:00
• String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 130:
• 21 Beethoven: String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: I. Adagio ma non troppo – Allegro 13:54
• 22 Beethoven: String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: II. Presto 02:01
• 23 Beethoven: String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: III. Poco scherzoso. Andante con moto ma non troppo 07:37
• 24 Beethoven: String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: IV. Alla Danza tedesca. Allegro assai 03:40
• 25 Beethoven: String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: V. Cavatina. Adagio molto espressivo 07:06
• 26 Beethoven: String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: VI. Overtura. Allegro – Meno mosso e moderato – Allegro. Fuga 16:13
• Total Runtime 03:19:49

Info for Beethoven: The complete String Quartets Vol. III

The Ariel Quartet completes it’s acclaimed Beethoven String Quartets cycle with a set devoted to the composer’s extraordinary late quartets: Opp. 127, 130, 131, 132 and 135. Widely regarded as among the greatest achievements in chamber music, these works reveal Beethoven at his most imaginative and adventurous. For the Ariel Quartet, this music has been a lifelong companion. Having performed as a quartet since their teenage years and lived with these works for more than two decades, they bring a combination of technical command and shared musical instinct to their performances, with interpretations shaped by years on stage together. From the expansiveness of Op.127 and the intensity of Op.132, to the dramatic sweep of Op.131 and the final questions of Op.135, this three-album set offers a compelling conclusion to the Ariel Quartet’s Beethoven cycle.

Ariel Quartet

Ariel Quartet A happy accident kickstarted our group in 1998, when we were 13 years old at a school for music and dance. Amidst stretching ballerinas and improvising jazz pianists, we were simply assigned to play together. Our teacher spoon-fed us repertoire just beyond our ability, knowing we were about to discover the addictive magic of playing string quartets. We spent our teenage years rehearsing in the school attic, immersing ourselves in the rich string quartet repertoire while learning to navigate both the music and our evolving relationships. Balancing a budding concert career with high school life was both challenging and rewarding, often providing excellent excuses to skip class. This lifestyle juxtaposition was on full display when we showed up to the prize-announcement ceremony of the 2003 Franz Schubert and Modern Music Competition in Graz, wearing pyjamas, ready to cheer on the prize winners – only to discover we were to be awarded the first prize ourselves…

Today, 27 years in and with three founding members still on board, our mission is to breathe life into the bread and butter of the string quartet repertoire while shining a spotlight on the compelling music of our time. This commitment led us to perform the complete Beethoven cycle before any of us turned 30, while also expanding the repertoire through commissions by established composers such as Mohammed Fairouz, Matan Porat or John Harbison. The joy of sharing the music we love with audiences in the most direct way remains the essence of our experience as musicians – it is the “glue” that has kept us together for more than half our lives. We were fortunate to have had inspiring mentors, including the members of the Cleveland Quartet, Walter Levin of the LaSalle Quartet, and the Amadeus Quartet. Over the past 12 years, succeeding the LaSalle Quartet as Quartet-in-Residence at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) has become a deeply fulfilling part of our lives. Sharing the experience we’ve gained onstage, we maintain individual studios, mentor young ensembles, and are particularly excited about the recent revival of the renowned graduate string quartet residency program.

Our unusual journey has been fundamental in shaping who we are. Beyond the demands of our shared professional path, we have walked together as friends who have truly become family. From late-night debates about tempo and sight-reading marathons to raising our children alongside one another while balancing an international concert career, we have shared every stage of life. This closeness has created a deep and unique bond that continues to shape our identity, both on stage and beyond.

This album contains no booklet.