Sivr 127

These are hardly the Hagen Quartett's first recordings of Beethoven's quartets. The group made its first Beethoven recordings back in 1997 with the Fugue for String Quartet, Op. 137, and the original version of Opus 18/6 for DG's Complete Beethoven Edition. But those early recordings, while breathtakingly good, cannot compare with later recordings of Beethoven's canonical quartets, climaxing with this coupling of Opus 127 and Opus 132, except in the sense that the same excellent ensemble made all of them.

Following the series devoted to Korngold's string quartets, here is the first instalment in a new project by Alma Quartet and Challenge Classics. In five CDs the Alma Quartet will bring out the late string quartet output by Beethoven and Shostakovich. Each volume will couple a late quartet by the two composers, who shared a "late style" on this medium.

Following the series devoted to Korngold's string quartets, here is the first instalment in a new project by Alma Quartet and Challenge Classics. In five CDs the Alma Quartet will bring out the late string quartet output by Beethoven and Shostakovich. Each volume will couple a late quartet by the two composers, who shared a "late style" on this medium.