Beethoven: The Early Quartets; Budapest String Quartet
BRIDGE 9342A/B

The release of this two-disc set completes the Budapest String Quartet's historic Beethoven string quartet cycle, recorded at the Library of Congress's Coolidge Auditorium. Both the middle and late quartets from this cycle (BRIDGE 9099A/C and BRIDGE 9072A/C) have frequently been cited as among the finest recordings ever made of Beethoven's singular masterpieces. The present recordings of Beethoven's six Op. 18 quartets were selected from performances given during the Budapest String Quartet's 22-year long residency at the Library (1940-1962). The recording dates were: Op. 18, Nos, 1, 2 & 3 (1944); Op. 18, No. 4 (1962), Op. 18, No. 5 (1943) and Op. 18, No. 6 (1960). In addition to the six quartets, a short track drawn from a Budapest String Quartet rehearsal is included on disc two.

Reviews:

“It’s been well worth the wait for these performances.” - MusicWeb International

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PDF Booklet

Ludwig van Beethoven, composer
Budapest String Quartet

BRIDGE 9342A/B (two discs for the price of one)
Also listed digitally as BRIDGE 9602

Related discs:

9185, 9175, 9110, 9099A/C, 9085A/B, 9077, 9072A/C, 9067, 9063, 9062