Dover Quartet - Beethoven: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 3 – The Late Quartets (2022) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

The celebrated Dover Quartet, the young, Grammy-nominated ensemble brimming with prestigious awards and residencies, concludes its critically acclaimed, three-volume Beethoven cycle with the composer’s five monumental, revolutionary Late Quartets and imposing Grosse Fuge.

The triple-CD release comprises Beethoven’s very last compositions — remarkable and often daunting works that upended the concept of the string quartet. Many critics and scholars consider them the ultimate expression of Beethoven’s artistry. At the same time, lyrical, songlike “vocal” writing pervades the Late Quartets, delighting the same audiences who flocked to Rossini’s operas.

The Dover’s first two Beethoven installments were greeted with ecstatic reviews: “Beethoven would find it hard to believe that his quartets could be played with such perfection of execution, such beauty of tone, such nuance of expression, and such keen understanding of his music’s meaning and intent.” (Fanfare) “Their Beethoven is, simply, perfection.” (Classical CD Review)

This is the Dover Quartet’s fifth Cedille Records album, following Volumes 1 and 2 of their Beethoven cycle; Voices of Defiance, a recording of 20th-century works; and Tribute, an all-Mozart album that marked the ensemble’s recording debut. Dover’s The Schumann Quartets (Azica Records) received a 2021 Grammy Award nomination.

Declared “one of the best” of today’s “truly wonderful younger quartets” (BBC Music Magazine), the Dover Quartet has followed a “practically meteoric” career trajectory (Strings) to become one of the most in-demand chamber ensembles in the world. The group’s awards include a sweep of all prizes at the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition, grand and first prizes at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, and prizes at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition. Its honors include the Avery Fisher Career Grant, Chamber Music America’s Cleveland Quartet Award, and Lincoln Center’s Hunt Family Award.

Tracklist:
Disc 1 (01:14:24)
1. String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127: I. Maestoso - Allegro (06:45)
2. String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127: II. Adagio, ma non troppo e molto cantabile (14:09)
3. String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127: III. Scherzando vivace (08:24)
4. String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127: IV. Finale. Allegro (06:51)
5. String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: I. Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro (09:31)
6. String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: II. Presto (02:05)
7. String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: III. Andante con moto ma non troppo (07:01)
8. String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: IV. Alla danza tedesca. Allegro assai (03:31)
9. String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: V. Cavatina. Adagio molto espressivo (06:08)
10. String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130: VI. Finale. Allegro (09:59)

Disc 2 (52:41)
1. Große Fuge in B-Flat Major, Op. 133 (15:17)
2. String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: I. Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo (06:20)
3. String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: II. Allegro molto vivace (02:51)
4. String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: III. Allegro moderato (00:47)
5. String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: IV. Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile (13:42)
6. String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: V. Presto (05:14)
7. String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: VI. Adagio quasi un poco andante (01:56)
8. String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: VII. Allegro (06:34)

Disc 3 (01:05:56)
1. String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132: I. Assai sostenuto - Allegro (09:22)
2. String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132: II. Allegro ma non tanto (07:25)
3. String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132: III. Molto adagio (17:16)
4. String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132: IV. Alla marcia, assai vivace (02:22)
5. String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132: V. Allegro appassionato (06:32)
6. String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135: I. Allegretto (06:34)
7. String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135: II. Vivace (02:56)
8. String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135: III. Lento assai, cantante e tranquillo (06:45)
9. String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135: IV. Der schwer gefasste Entschluss. Grave, ma non troppo tratto - Allegro (06:44)


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