Authentic page - 6 Quartets for Strings, Op.18, No's 1, 2 & 3

[Peter]

Now available to members at www.kingsbarn.freeserve.co.uk/authentic.html

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'Man know thyself'

[Frohlich]

What can one say,

The most perfect work of Beethoven's early works the String quartets Opus 18, shows a consummate mastery of the chamber medium.
In my view they are a fusion of Haydn and Mozart, as though Beethoven had to achieve a synthesis of the characteristics of these two baroque masters in chamber form at least.
I find the Adagio particulary touching and pure.

[Joy]

I have to agree with Amalie about the adagio. Beautiful. Enjoyed these very much. They show an advance over the quartets of Haydn and Mozart I think and the balancing of the voices and the range of all the instruments in incredible. Composed between 1798 and 1801, they were dedicated to Prince Lobkowitz. Thanks for all the information. I feel like I had a lesson in Beethoven's early quartets.

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'Truth and beauty joined'

[Gurn Blanston]

Thanks, Rod. My ear is not discerning enough to note the change in instruments to earlier types, but the quality of the playing is superb in any case, so I am delighted of the chance to hear this interpretation. I don't need to comment on the quality of the music itself, as no humble wordsmithing on my part says more than even a quick listen will do.

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Regards,
Gurn
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That's my opinion, I may be wrong.
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[This message has been edited by Gurn Blanston (edited October 20, 2003).]

[Rod]

Quite a good set by the Turner Quartet, but I think op18 has still more things to offer than we usually hear, even from this group.

The Adagio is enhanced by a more simple approach, vibrato not prominent.

The Presto from No. 3 is one of my favourites.

The order of composition of op18 has been a point of debate for some time. Check out this interesting, if lengthy, analysis:
http://ludwig0van0beethoven.tripod.com/op18_e.html


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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin


[This message has been edited by Rod (edited October 21, 2003).]

[Rod]

Originally posted by Joy:
...Thanks for all the information. I feel like I had a lesson in Beethoven's early quartets.

I spent an hour and a half typing my own notes for the page but procceded to lose everything I wrote (I was in a state of fury for some time after!). Not having the desire to start over again, I 'borrowed' most of the info from this useful web page:
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/notes/55021.html


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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin


[This message has been edited by Rod (edited October 21, 2003).]

[Peter]

Originally posted by Rod:
I spent an hour and a half typing my own notes for the page but procceded to lose everything I wrote (I was in a state of fury for some time after!). Not having the desire to start over again, I 'borrowed' most of the info from this useful web page:
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/notes/55021.html

I also added some info from my Quartets page yet to materialise!

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'Man know thyself'

[Rod]

Originally posted by Peter:
I also added some info from my Quartets page yet to materialise!

Ah, I had a first look at the page a little earlier today and was wondering where that material had come from!

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[Joy]

Originally posted by Rod:
I spent an hour and a half typing my own notes for the page but procceded to lose everything I wrote (I was in a state of fury for some time after!). Not having the desire to start over again, I 'borrowed' most of the info from this useful web page:
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/notes/55021.html

Frustrating indeed!! Thanks for the page, very useful and informative!!



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'Truth and beauty joined'

[Andrea]

Danke, Rod. I always look forward to hearing these musical delights supplied by Rod. Many are pieces that I have never heard before and others are works that I do know but they are being performed on period instruments which I enjoy listening to. Wunderbar...

[misshollie]

My computer says that the mp3's cannot be reached from this site?.. is anyone else expirencing this problem?

[Rod]

Originally posted by misshollie:
My computer says that the mp3's cannot be reached from this site?.. is anyone else expirencing this problem?

This is because I have removed them. The mp3s for the remainder of op18 (Nos 4,5,and 6) are uploaded and the page will be revised soon. There has been a delay in the update as I misnamed the mp3s op16!

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin



[This message has been edited by Rod (edited October 28, 2003).]