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6 Degrees Entertainment

Title - Beethoven: The Late Quartets [3CD]
Artist - The Calidore String Quartet

On February 3rd 2023, Signum Classics will release BEETHOVEN: The Late Quartets, the Calidore String Quartet’s third album and most ambitious project to date on the label following their acclaimed albums BABEL (2020) and Resilience (2018).

The three-disc set marks the first installment of the Calidore’s full Beethoven cycle to be released on Signum over the next three years. It has been twelve years since friends Jeffrey Myers (violin), Ryan Meehan (violin), Jeremy Berry (viola), and Estelle Choi (cello) formed the Calidore String Quartet while students at the Colburn School in Los Angeles.

Performing the Beethoven cycle is the musical equivalent of scaling Mount Everest, says violinist Ryan Meehan. It is a grueling nine hours of music comprised of some of the most technically intricate and emotionally demanding music ever conceived, to which we have dedicated much of our studying and performing since the quartet’s inception.

Beethoven: String Quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op. 127
I. Maestoso (7:06)
II. Adagio, ma non troppo e molto cantabile (15:22)
III. Scherzando vivace (8:02)
IV. Finale. Allegro (7:10)

Beethoven: String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131
I. Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo (6:48)
II. Allegro molto vivace (2:54)
III. Allegro moderato (0:43)
IV. Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile (13:26)
V. Presto (5:01)
VI. Adagio quasi un poco andante (1:59)
VII. Allegro (6:38)

Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130
I. Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro (13:39)
II. Presto (1:59)
III. Andante con moto ma non troppo. Poco scherzando (6:55)
IV. Alla danza tedesca (Allegro assai) (3:24)
V. Cavatina (Adagio molto espressivo) (7:00)

Beethoven: Grosse Fuge in B flat major, Op. 133

Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat major, Op. 130: VI. Finale. Allegro

Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132
I. Assai sostenuto - Allegro (9:57)
II. Allegro ma non tanto (9:01)
III. Molto adagio (17:32)
IV. Alla marcia, assai vivace (2:17)
V. Allegro appassionato (6:41)

Beethoven: String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135
I. Allegretto (6:38)
II. Vivace (3:15)
III. Lento assai, cantante e tranquillo (7:48)
IV. Grave ma non troppo tratto - Allegro (6:43)

The simply incredible new recording opens on Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op. 127, and the summery Maestoso, the slightly sterner, and near 16 minute Adagio, ma non troppo e molto cantabile, the flirtatious Scherzando vivace, and then comes the melodically wholesome Finale. Allegro.

Up next is Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131, which opens on the aching yearn of Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo, the flighty Allegro molto vivace and the short, but sweet Allegro moderato, and then comes the gently melodic Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile, the more ardent Presto, the hunger within Adagio quasi un poco andante, the piece rounding out on the defiant Allegro.

Along next is Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130, which begins with the overtly strained, near 14 minute Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro, then continues onward with the feisty Presto, the elegance of Andante con moto ma non troppo. Poco scherzando, the subtle ballroom twirl of Alla danza tedesca (Allegro assai), and the ornately sculptured Cavatina (Adagio molto espressivo).

Beethoven’s Grosse Fuge in B flat major, Op. 133 is a most gloriously heartfelt work of the highest order, performed here by the The Calidore String Quartet and is backed seamlessly by yet another spirited rendition, this one of Beethovens String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat major, Op. 130: VI. Finale. Allegro.

Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132 is along next and first up is the elegant musings within Assai sostenuto - Allegro and then the sweeping Allegro ma non tanto, which are backed by the more captured essence of the number within Molto adagio, the upbeat, near 18 minute Alla marcia, assai vivace, the work closing on the harmonious Allegro appassionato.

The last work is Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135, which opens on the playfully flirty Allegretto, the ELO-esque Vivace is up next, the work, along with the recording, closing out on the thirsty craving felt within Lento assai, cantante e tranquillo and then, finally, the resonating timbre found within the, at times, stridently joyous, Grave ma non troppo tratto - Allegro.

The Calidore String Quartet has been continually drawn to Beethoven’s music for the enduring relevance of his humanistic perspective. Meehan says, He was an artist who aimed to compose not for one portion of society, but rather to unite us through our fundamental elements. His sixteen string quartets sonically weave a tapestry of human emotion; from vulnerability and hope as in the Heiliger Dankgesang of op. 132, to terror and anger subsiding to joy like in op. 135’s Der schwer gefasste Entschluss.

Our public performances affirmed to us that Beethoven’s Quartets appeal to the emotional experiences we share in common as human beings, which are far more substantial than what may divide us. These great works are also the result of Beethoven’s struggles to overcome the challenges of his own life.

This recording serves as a snapshot of our twelve years of working, growing, listening and collaborating with one another. Though this music speaks in a language that is hundreds of years old, its message remains immediate, relevant and comforting to listeners of today and of generations to come even, and especially in the most challenging of times.

Official Apple Purchase Link

www.calidorestringquartet.com

The Calidore String Quartet

www.signumrecords.com





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