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Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartets
23 June 2026
Background
- Composed between 1798 and 1826, a total of 16 String Quartets; considered the pinnacle of chamber music.
- Early Quartets (1798–1800): Op. 18, Nos. 1–6. Dedicated to Prince Lobkowitz.
- Middle Quartets (1806–1814): Op. 59, Nos 1–3; Op. 74, Op. 95. The Razumovsky Quartets were commissioned by Count Razumovsky.
- Late Quartets (1824–1826): Opp. 127, 130–132, 135, and the Grosse Fuge Op. 133.
Recordings
The Complete String Quartets
Alban Berg Quartett
Warner Classics
- 🏆 Gramophone Awards (1985): Winner Chamber
- 🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2011): First Choice
The Early / Middle / Late Quartets
Calidore String Quartet
Signum Classics
- 🏆 BBC Music Magazine Awards (2024): Winner Chamber
- 🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2025): Editor's Choice
String Quartets (Op. 18 Nos 1–3, 4–6 · Opp. 74 & 130 · Op. 59 Nos 1 & 2)
Chiaroscuro Quartet
BIS
- 🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2022): Recommended
- 🏆 International Classical Music Awards (2024): Nominated Chamber Music
Complete String Quartets Vols. 1–3
Cuarteto Casals
Harmonia Mundi
PRISM I–V (String Quartets Nos. 12–16)
Danish String Quartet
ECM New Series
- 🏆 Grammy Awards (2019): Nominee Chamber Music (PRISM I)
- 🏆 Gramophone Awards (2023): Finalist Chamber (PRISM IV)
- 🏆 Opus Klassik (2024): Recording of the Year (PRISM V)
Complete String Quartets Vols. 1 & 2
Dover Quartet
Cedille
- 🏆 Grammy Awards (2023): Nominee Best Chamber Music
Around the World, The Complete String Quartets
Quatuor Ebène
ERATO
- 🏆 Opus Klassik (2021): Winner Chamber Music
The String Quartets
Emerson String Quartet
Deutsche Grammophon
- 🏆 Grammy Awards (1997): Best Chamber Music Recording
Complete String Quartets
Takacs Quartet
DECCA
- 🏆 Grammy Awards (2002): Best Chamber Music Recording
- 🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2017): Editor's Choice
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