Beethoven:
- String Quartets Nos. 3, 5 and 16
The Hagen String quartet has been my favorite chamber music performing group for many years. Their playing is sensitive, accurate, technically flawless, and featuring a sound balance second to none.
I have been enjoying their DVD in which they play the same Beethoven Op. 135 quartet that is also on this CD recording.
On this CD, we get to hear two of the early Beethoven quartets, as well as the very last quartet that Beethoven wrote:
Beethoven:
- String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 18 No. 3
- String Quartet No. 5 in A major, Op. 18 No. 5
- String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135
Performed by the Hagen String Quartet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagen_Quartet
During the 2012/13 season, the Hagen Quartet brings the complete Beethoven string quartets to the most prominent musical venues of the world, including New York, Tokyo, Paris, London, Vienna and Salzburg. During the first half of this tour, the quartet went to the studio to record three of their most favorite Beethoven quartets. With Op. 18/3 and Op. 135, this album ranges from the very first to the last string quartet composed by Ludwig van Beethoven.
The Hagen Quartet was formed in 1981, soon achieving success in a number of competitions. Through its long engagement with the rich quartet repertoire, the Hagen Quartet has collaborated with such musicians as Maurizio Pollini, Mitsuko Uchida, Krystian Zimerman, Sabine Meyer, and many others.
Here is the Hagen quartet playing Mozart’s quartet No.14 K.387
And next, here they are in the Mozart Clarinet Quintet:
http://youtu.be/ZCJMlxIfmxY
Finally, here is the Hagen Quartet playing the Beethoven String Quartet op. 135
Tags: Hagen Quartet, Beethoven, Mozart