Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets, Vol. 2 Ariel Quartet

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1:
• 1 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1: Allegro 10:04
• 2 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1: Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando 08:55
• 3 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1: Adagio molto e mesto 13:10
• 4 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1: Thème Russe: Allegro 08:27
• String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3:
• 5 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3: Introduzione: Andante con moto – Allegro vivace 10:48
• 6 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3: Andante con moto quasi allegretto 09:52
• 7 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3: Menuetto: Grazioso 05:12
• 8 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59 No. 3: Allegro molto 06:09
• String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2:
• 9 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2: Allegro 13:55
• 10 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2: Molto adagio 12:36
• 11 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2: Allegretto 07:30
• 12 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2: Presto 05:29
• String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, Op. 74:
• 13 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, Op. 74: Poco adagio – Allegro 09:23
• 14 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, Op. 74: Adagio ma non troppo 09:22
• 15 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, Op. 74: Presto 05:02
• 16 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, Op. 74: Allegretto con variazioni 06:45
• String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95, ‘Quartetto serioso’:
• 17 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95, ‘Quartetto serioso’: Allegro con brio 04:15
• 18 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95, ‘Quartetto serioso’: Allegretto ma non troppo 07:19
• 19 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95, ‘Quartetto serioso’: Allegro assai vivace ma serioso 04:23
• 20 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95, ‘Quartetto serioso’: Larghetto espressivo – Allegretto agitato – Allegro 04:36
• Total Runtime 02:43:12

Info for Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets, Vol. 2

Formed in Israel almost three decades ago and now based in the United States, the Ariel Quartet has earned international acclaim for performances that combine bold interpretive vision with exceptional technical mastery. This second volume in their complete Beethoven cycle focuses on the composer's heroic middle period, featuring the three expansive Razumovsky Quartets Op.59, the noble Harp Quartet Op.74, and the intense, compact Serioso Quartet Op.95. Written between 1806 and 1810, these works mark a decisive break from Classical models, embracing structural innovation, contrapuntal richness, and moments of profound lyricism. From the grandeur of the Op.59 set, with it's Russian folk melodies, to the lyrical intimacy of the Harp and the concentrated drama of the Serioso, the Ariel Quartet brings a rare combination of insight, energy, and unity born of over 25 years of shared music-making. Recorded by Grammy Award-winning producer Jesse Lewis, this release captures both the scale and the intimacy of Beethoven's vision, offering a compelling portrait of a composer at the height of his creative powers.

Alexandra Kazovsky, violin
Gershon Gerchikov, violin
Jan Grüning, viola
Amit Even–Tov, cello

Ariel Quartet A happy accident kickstarted our group in 1998, when we were 13 years old at a school for music and dance. Amidst stretching ballerinas and improvising jazz pianists, we were simply assigned to play together. Our teacher spoon-fed us repertoire just beyond our ability, knowing we were about to discover the addictive magic of playing string quartets. We spent our teenage years rehearsing in the school attic, immersing ourselves in the rich string quartet repertoire while learning to navigate both the music and our evolving relationships. Balancing a budding concert career with high school life was both challenging and rewarding, often providing excellent excuses to skip class. This lifestyle juxtaposition was on full display when we showed up to the prize-announcement ceremony of the 2003 Franz Schubert and Modern Music Competition in Graz, wearing pyjamas, ready to cheer on the prize winners – only to discover we were to be awarded the first prize ourselves…

Today, 27 years in and with three founding members still on board, our mission is to breathe life into the bread and butter of the string quartet repertoire while shining a spotlight on the compelling music of our time. This commitment led us to perform the complete Beethoven cycle before any of us turned 30, while also expanding the repertoire through commissions by established composers such as Mohammed Fairouz, Matan Porat or John Harbison. The joy of sharing the music we love with audiences in the most direct way remains the essence of our experience as musicians – it is the “glue” that has kept us together for more than half our lives. We were fortunate to have had inspiring mentors, including the members of the Cleveland Quartet, Walter Levin of the LaSalle Quartet, and the Amadeus Quartet. Over the past 12 years, succeeding the LaSalle Quartet as Quartet-in-Residence at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) has become a deeply fulfilling part of our lives. Sharing the experience we’ve gained onstage, we maintain individual studios, mentor young ensembles, and are particularly excited about the recent revival of the renowned graduate string quartet residency program.

Our unusual journey has been fundamental in shaping who we are. Beyond the demands of our shared professional path, we have walked together as friends who have truly become family. From late-night debates about tempo and sight-reading marathons to raising our children alongside one another while balancing an international concert career, we have shared every stage of life. This closeness has created a deep and unique bond that continues to shape our identity, both on stage and beyond.

This album contains no booklet.