Search - Beethoven, Alexander String Quartet :: String Quartets 1

Gorgeous Set to Own!

Curtis Grindahl | San Anselmo, California USA | 12/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm really writing about the entire nine-disc set of Beethoven String Quartets performed by the Alexander String Quartet. I encountered the Arte Nova boxed set while visiting a Tower Record store over a year ago as I began building a CD collection of classical music. The price, under $$$, seemed impossible, so I set out to learn more about the group and these performances in particular. It was during this process that I learned the group is in-residence at San Francisco State University not far from where I live. Then I discovered that the performances were recorded in a small church even closer to where I live. The reviews were glowing, so I took the plunge and bought the boxed set. Looking back it seems the best investment I've so far made. The performances are alive and brilliant. No doubt the fact they were recorded digitally contributes to the immediacy and clarity of the Alexander Quartet's playing. I'm listening to Op. 18, No. 5, as I write this and am once again moved by the range of emotions conveyed by these four musicians. I have since added performances by prominent groups on major labels to my collection and NOTHING is better than what I'm listening to at the moment. I'm especially moved by Beethoven's late quartets, but today, after listening to Op. 33 by Haydn I wanted to compare these early pieces with Beethoven's first quartets. I'm listening, no doubt, to some of the most exquisite music ever written. How fortunate I feel! Although Amazon lists these discs out of stock, I encourage anyone who stumbles upon my review to search them out. You won't be disappointed."