Beethoven, Ludwig von / String Quartets Op. 18 [Nos. 1-6)] / Budapest String Quartet (Library of Congress Performances)
Label: Bridge Records

Larry K.
Reviewed 2011-12-01

BEETHOVEN: THE EARLY QUARTETS. THE BUDAPEST STRING QUARTET IN CONCERT AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 1943-1962.
Label: Bridge Records – 2011

The artistry of The Budapest String Quartet was legendary (see liner notes for details). These string quartets, written between 1798-1800, demonstrate B’s mastery of the classical string quartet form. No. 3 was actually the first composed, No. 1 was written 2nd, and No. 4 last. The Adagio mvmt of Op. 18, No. 1 was inspired by the tomb scene from Romeo and Juliet. Op. 18, No. 2 is closest in style to Haydn, who was B’s teacher at the time. Op. 18, No. 3 is the set’s most lyrical quartet. Op. 18, No. 5 in A major is modeled on Mozart’s quartet in this key (K. 464). The Scherzo of Op. 18, No. 6 is a “tour de force of syncopation.” The 4th mvmt may be the highlight of the set. A melancholy opening is followed by a Viennese ballroom/German country dance, and elements of these two sections are then creatively alternated.

1. Disc A: (7:07) Op. 18, No. 1 in F major. Allegro con brio. Urgent question, declamatory answer, pleasantly narrative.
2. (10:53) Op. 18, No. 1 in F major. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato. A sad interlude.
3. (3:12) Op. 18, No. 1 in F major, Scherzo: Allegro molto. Vigorous gallop in the countryside.
4. (6:30) Op. 18, No. 1 in F major, Allegro. Safely home, with adventures to relate, some from each instrument.
5. (5:16) Op. 18, No. 2 in G major, Allegro. Stately melodies, comfortably harmonized, but often at quickened pace.
6. (6:03) Op. 18, No. 2 in G major, Adagio cantabile. I sing to thee, in gratitude, & mid-way, dance lively before more song.
7. (3:49) Op. 18, No. 2 in G major, Scherzo: Allegro. Skip to m’loo and race along too, even more than Haydn’s rusticity.
8. (4:58) Op. 18, No. 2 in G major, Allegro molto, quasi presto. Be quick, be nimble, oh happy will ‘o the wisp.
9. (5:14) Op. 18, No. 3 in D major, Allegro. I have a rich tale to tell, with windmills and horsemen riding past. And ladies, too.
10. (7:22) Op. 18, No. 3 in D major, Andante con moto. We come to an old stone church, in afternoon’s glow. Congregants appear; some are troubled.
11. (2:37) Op. 18, No. 3 in D major, Allegro. The country squire hosts a party, and local rivalries make themselves known.
12. (3:39) Op. 18, No. 3 in D major, Presto. Winds blow against and eddy around the walls, but do not breach them.
13. Disc B: (6:54) Op 18, No. 4 in C minor, Allegro ma non tanto. A tragic tale, of empire lost, or at least of something valued..
14. (5:39) Op 18, No. 4 in C minor, Andante scherzoso quasi Allegretto. Ships, big and little, sneak up on the harbor at night; sailors speak of tomorrow’s battle.
15. (4:26) Op 18, No. 4 in C minor, Menuetto: Allegretto. Smoke arises from the defeated shore, where flames are still visible.
16. (4:25) Op 18, No. 4 in C minor, Allegro Prestissimo. We race through the defeated city, now rapidly, now a bit less so.
17. (4:35) Op. 18, No. 5 in A major, Allegro. I have some serious things to relate.
18. (4:51) Op. 18, No. 5 in A major, Menuetto Ladies and gentlemen may now dance a minuet, but with care.
19. (8:42) Op. 18, No. 5 in A major, Andante cantabile. Long ago and far away . . . and some even pranced about lightly.
20. (4:27) Op. 18, No. 5 in A major, Allegro. It all ended well, if a little breathlessly.
21. (4:55) Op. 18, No. 6 in Bb major, allegro con brio. Formal, orderly, orchestral. No nonsense, please.
22. (6:57) Op. 18, No. 6 in Bb major, Adagio ma no troppo. Beauty is all around if only you would see it.
23. (3:16) Op. 18, No. 6 in Bb major, Scherzo: Allegro. Play among the moss-spotted, granite boulders on the seaside cliff.
24. (8:59) Op. 18,No. 6 in Bb major, La Malinconia: Adagio – Allegretto quasi Allegro. I mourn my lost love, still beautiful in the stillness of death, and recall times of joy, escaping sorrow.
25. (9:31) Rehearsal Fragment. A peak at the creative process.