Beethoven, Ludwig van - String Quartets, Vol. 7 (The) - Lindsays (The)
The Lindsays
It is a bold step for any ensemble to tackle the Beethoven String Quartets, these loftiest peaks of the chamber repertoire, but when the formidable competition includes their own Gramophone Award-winning performances the task is even more daunting. The Lindsays however are a very special quartet, and have scaled their first hurdle - the Op.18 set triumphantly. The Independent said the new versions sound 'like brushing away the cobwebs from a vibrant old master' and, most importantly, they were Gramophone Editor's Choices: 'It's wonderful how the Lindsays, after a career of more than 30 years, can still sound so fresh and spontaneous. From the start of Op.18 No.1 we feel that every phrase is shaped individually, the music felt as it's being played . . . I can't think of a group that brings out better the startling range of the youthful Beethoven's imagination'.
This fourth issue in the series features one of the glorious 'Late' quartets, the mighty B flat, Op.130 with its extreme contrasts - undoubtedly one of the greatest of all Beethoven's compositions, and one that he himself thought his finest. The poignant Cavatina is perhaps the supreme expression of Beethoven the lyricist, leading on to the colossal Grosse Fuge. This so daunted 18th century audiences that the composer reluctantly supplied an alternative, slighter finale. Here The Lindsays not only play both finales, they have also included a second performance of the Cavatina because the alternative finale is better heard following the Cavatina rather than immediately after the Grosse Fuge. The possibility of programming the tracks will allow the listener their preferred choice.
The recordings are technically incomparable, 24-bit Hi-Res, and, for the first time on ASV, a Super Audio CD version (also playable on conventional equipment) is available.
'Mature readings from The Lindsays . . . strongly characterised . . .'
Gramophone
'The Lindsays occupy the commanding heights and this splendidly recorded account ranks among the best'
International Record Review