Beethoven: String Quartets, Op. 18, Vol. 1 Allegri String Quartet

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 18 No. 4:
• 1 I. Allegro ma non tanto 08:49
• 2 II. Scherzo: Andante scherzoso quasi allegretto 07:33
• 3 III. Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio 03:40
• 4 IV. Allegro - Prestissimo 04:22
• String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 18 No. 3:
• 5 I. Allegro 07:54
• 6 II. Andante con moto 08:37
• 7 III. Allegro 02:52
• 8 IV. Presto 06:36
• String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5:
• 9 I. Allegro 06:30
• 10 II. Menuetto 04:38
• 11 III. Andante cantabile con variazioni 10:05
• 12 IV. Allegro 06:53
• Total Runtime 01:18:29

Info for Beethoven: String Quartets, Op. 18, Vol. 1

Third release on the new VIVAT label features the world-renowned Allegri String Quartet in the first of their new Beethoven Quartets series.

Beethoven’s remarkable Opus 18 quartets are full of energy and variety, optimistic yet passionate, brimming with invention and enthusiasm. Early Beethoven they may be, but the composer was already a complete master of the quartet, revolutionising the form.

The Allegri String Quartet celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2013, making them one of Britain’s longest-established chamber ensembles. Their acclaimed Beethoven series in concert and on CD is a central pillar of their celebrations.

Recorded at very high resolution in the well-nigh perfect acoustics of The Menuhin Hall, the recording brings unparalleled clarity and richness to the quartet’s sound.

“the Allegri Quartet is still alive and well, and the first thing that needs to be said about the performances is how likeable they are: the playing has all the intelligence, energy and expressive freedom that are needed to convey the wilfully original character of Beethoven's early String Quartets.” (BBC Music Magazine)

“Consistently, the ensemble is admirably crisp, with fine control of dynamic shading , and with rhythms crisply sprung...like the interpretations themselves [the recording] offers an undistracting view of each work, simply letting one enjoy the freshness of Beethoven in youthful high spirits. I look forward to more discs in the series.” (Gramophone Magazine)

“The Allegri play intensely, but also gracefully; they know when to give the music space...Their tempo for No 3’s andante con moto is actually slower than No 5’s andante cantabile in the same time signature, but I don’t blame them for relishing its beauties. All three finales are brilliant. This is an exhilarating disc.” (Sunday Times)

Allegri String Quartet

The Allegri Quartet
in its 62nd year, is Britain's oldest chamber group. Founded in 1953 by Eli Goren and William Pleeth it has played a key role in the British musical scene, working with composers such as Benjamin Britten, Michael Tippett, Elizabeth Maconchy, John Woolrich, Peter Fribbins, Anthony Payne, James MacMillan, Matthew Taylor and most recently Alec Roth, resulting in new commissions and recordings.

Their annual Llanfyllin Festival, a biennial Swiss Festival in the beautiful setting of the Engadin mountains, The Orange Tree Theatre Sunday concert series and regular invitations to concert societies and leading concert halls stand alongside newer relationships such as with the Southbank Sinfonia and their festival in Anghiari, Italy and ACE tours based in Cambridge.

Latest recordings include the Beethoven opus 18 quartets on the Vivat label, receiving a double 5 star review and chamber music disc of the month accolade from the BBC Music Magazine. On the Champs Hill label; the Bolzano-born composer Ludwig Thuille's quartets with recently discovered unrecorded material and The string quartets of Alec Roth, on RTF Classical.

They are visiting professors through residencies at Bangor and Middlesex universities and enjoy regular invitations to teach/coach at music colleges and amateur chamber music courses around the UK.

Booklet for Beethoven: String Quartets, Op. 18, Vol. 1