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From the Alpha and Omega of Beethoven

10/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why is this CD not more well known and "critically acclaimed"? This is a fabulous recording of Beethoven's Op. 18 No. 1 and Op. 132! I've listened to the Emerson Quartet's recordings of these works and the Artis Quartet in many ways come out on top, especially in Op. 132. The Artis Quartet use more forward moving tempi and a wider variety of articulation and dynamics than the Emerson Quartet. Listen, for example, to the vigorous way the Artis Quartet tears into the coda of the first movement of the A minor quartet (I swear some strings *must've* broke when this passage was recorded!) -- the Emerson Quartet seem tame in comparison. In general, other quartets (including the Emerson) set rather sluggish tempi for all five movements of Op. 132. The Artis Quartet's tempi, dynamics, and articulation are a far cry from the rather "laden", world-weary traditional interpretation of this work. In their hands, this work becomes defiant, tragic, angry, and almost unbearably intense. This is the finest Op. 132 I've ever heard, coupled with a most lively Op. 18 No. 1. If you love Beethoven's incomparable string quartets, you won't regret purchasing this CD. What a pity the Artis Quartet have not recorded a complete Beethoven quartet cycle!"