The second in their award winning series, the Calidore String Quartet return with a three disc album of the Middle Quartets (released September 13th, 2024, via Signum Records). Their Beethoven performances have been described as ‘shockingly deep’ by LA Times.

The first album of Late Quartets won the Chamber Music Award at the BBC Music Magazine Awards 2024. Their interpretation is informed by their diverse set of mentors which include Alban Berg, Emerson, Guarneri and yet still uniquely representing the sentiments, aesthetics and research of their generation.

Their interpretations of Beethoven are already critically acclaimed with performances at the Lincoln Centre planned as part of their residency.

Disc 1:
1. String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1 Razumovsky No. 1: I. Allegro (10:04)
2. String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1 Razumovsky No. 1: II. Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando (8:31)
3. String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1 Razumovsky No. 1: III. Adagio molto e mesto (12:55)
4. String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1 Razumovsky No. 1: IV. Allegro (Russian Theme) (8:05)

The first disc opens on the beautiful String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1 Razumovsky No. 1, which opens on the playful Allegro, the flirtatious Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando, the sterner fare of Adagio molto e mesto, culminating on the delightful dance floor swirl of Allegro (Russian Theme).

Disc 2:
1. String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2 Razumovsky No. 2: I. Allegro (9:26)
2. String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2 Razumovsky No. 2: II. Molto adagio (13:03)
3. String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2 Razumovsky No. 2: III. Allegretto (6:57)
4. String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2 Razumovsky No. 2: IV. Finale - Presto (5:29)
5. String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3 Razumovsky No. 3: I. Andante con moto - Allegro vivace (10:55)
6. String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3 Razumovsky No. 3: II. Andante con moto quasi allegretto (9:07)
7. String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3 Razumovsky No. 3: III. Menuetto & Trio (5:14)
8. String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3 Razumovsky No. 3: IV. Allegro molto (5:47)

The second disc opens on the dulcet Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2 Rasumovsky No. 2, which opens on the strident Allegro, the stoically-hued Molto adagio, the graceful Allegretto, closing on the sprightly Finale - Presto.

Along next is the flourishing String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3 Razumovsky No. 3, which itself begins on the grounded Andante con moto - Allegro vivace, and then we get the aching yearn of Andante con moto quasi allegretto, the sheer elegance of Menuetto & Trio, the piece settling on the perky Allegro molto.

Disc 3:
1. String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major, Op. 74 Harp: I. Poco adagio - Allegro (9:41)
2. String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major, Op. 74 Harp: II. Adagio ma non troppo (10:14)
3. String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major, Op. 74 Harp: III. Presto - Più presto quasi prestissimo (4:58)
4. String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major, Op. 74 Harp: IV. Allegretto con variazioni (6:45)
5. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor Op. 95 Serioso: I. Allegro con brio (4:22)
6. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor Op. 95 Serioso: II. Allegretto ma non troppo (7:33)
7. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor Op. 95 Serioso: III. Allegro assai vivace, ma serioso (4:39)
8. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor Op. 95 Serioso: IV. Larghetto espressivo - Allegretto agitato - Allegro (4:49)

The third, and final disc, opens on the flirtatious work String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major, Op. 74 Harp, which opens on the lingering Poco adagio - Allegro, then comes the earnest Adagio ma non troppo, the free flowing Presto - Più presto quasi prestissimo, finishing with the elegant Allegretto con variazioni.

The last work is the stunning String Quartet No. 11 in F minor Op. 95 Serioso, which begins on the forthright Allegro con brio, before we are brought the alluring Allegretto ma non troppo, the flourishing Allegro assai vivace, ma serioso, closing on the fully-embracing Larghetto espressivo - Allegretto agitato - Allegro.

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