Beethoven: String Quartets, Op. 18, Nos. 1-3

Opus 18 needs little introduction as Beethoven’s supremely confident first step in total mastery of the Classical String Quartet. From the opening bars of Quartet No. 1 which bristle with curiosity and possibility to the wit and humor of Quartet No. 2 and the suppressed energy and teasing harmonic uncertainty of Quartet No. 3, Opus 18 represents Beethoven’s only quartet contribution during his ‘first period’ and provides the listener with a tantalizing glimpse of the extraordinary music that was to follow. “The sound of the strings is warm but not overly vibrated or assertive; the articulation is clear but not didactic; the tempos are beautifully chosen, the ensemble perfect, and the intonation absolutely pure. This is music-making that reflects deeply human and attractive qualities… good humor, with, and invention.” (Tom Moore, Early Music America)