After Billy Joel last night, I turn to Beethoven tonight. No conflict here. Billy Joel often has a bust of the composer sitting on his piano when he is playing live, recognising him as one of the greatest of composers. Joels This Night from the album An Innocent Man borrows the chorus melody from one of Beethovens piano sonatas. I am listening to the late string quartets, as recorded by the Busch Quartet, considered to be one of the finest interpreters of the pieces in the 20th Century. Check them out if you have never listened to them. They are stunningly beautiful. The following string quartets are referred to as Beethovens late string quartets: Opus 127: String Quartet No. 12 in E-flat major (1825) Opus 130: String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat major (1825) Opus 131: String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor (1826) Opus 132: String Quartet No. 15 in A minor (1825) Opus 133: Große Fuge in B-flat major for string quartet (1826), originally the finale to Op. 130 Opus 135: String Quartet No. 16 in F major (1826) These six quartets comprise Beethovens last major, completed compositions. Although dismissed by the musicians and audiences of Beethovens time, they are widely considered to be among the greatest musical compositions of all time, and have inspired many composers and musicians.These quartets have been performed and recorded by string quartets worldwide. The quartets went far beyond what musicians or audiences were ready for at that time. One musician commented that we know there is something there, but we do not know what it is. Composer Louis Spohr called them indecipherable, uncorrected horrors. Opinion has changed considerably from the time of their first bewildered reception: these six quartets are widely considered to be among the greatest musical compositions of all time. Theodor Adorno, in particular, thought highly of them. Their forms and ideas inspired and continue to inspire musicians and composers, such as Richard Wagner and Béla Bartók. Wagner, when reflecting on Op. 131s first movement, said that it reveals the most melancholy sentiment expressed in music. The last musical wish of Schubert was to hear the Op. 131 quartet, which he did on 14 November 1828, five days before his death. Upon listening to a performance of the Op. 131 quartet, Schubert remarked, After this, what is left for us to write? Of the late quartets, Beethovens favorite was the Fourteenth Quartet, op. 131 in C♯ minor, which he rated as his most perfect single work.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:01:48 +0000