Description

The Alcan String Quartet celebrates its 25th anniversary with a landmark three-volume recording of the complete cycle of Beethoven’s 16 string quartets. Volume 1, containing the 6 quartets from Beethoven’s early period, was released last November. Volume 2 was released last February, and volume 3 will be available on May 12, 2015.

“The waters of the Danube will empty themselves into the sea many a time before the creations of this man will have been fully understood,” said Schubert. Indeed, during the first half of the 19th century, Beethoven’s last quartets generated more astonishment than enthusiasm. The first ever performance of the complete cycle of 16 quartets was held in London in 1845.