Ludwig van Beethoven: The Three String Quartets, Op. 59 (Remastered) Prazak Quartet

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): String Quartet No. 7 in F Major, Op. 59/1 "Razumovsky":
• 1 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 7 in F Major, Op. 59/1 "Razumovsky": I. Allegro 10:36
• 2 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 7 in F Major, Op. 59/1 "Razumovsky": II. Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando 09:33
• 3 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 7 in F Major, Op. 59/1 "Razumovsky": III. Adagio molto e mesto - attacca 12:06
• 4 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 7 in F Major, Op. 59/1 "Razumovsky": IV. Thème russe. Allegro 07:45
• String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59/2 "Razumovsky":
• 5 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59/2 "Razumovsky": I. Allegretto 09:59
• 6 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59/2 "Razumovsky": II. Molto adagio. Si tratta questo pezzo con molto sentimento 13:25
• 7 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59/2 "Razumovsky": III. Allegretto 06:58
• 8 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59/2 "Razumovsky": IV. Finale. Presto 05:21
• String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59/3 "Razumovsky":
• 9 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59/3 "Razumovsky": I. Introduzione. Andante con moto - Allegro vivace 10:12
• 10 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59/3 "Razumovsky": II. Andante con moto quasi allegretto 09:29
• 11 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59/3 "Razumovsky": III. Menuetto. Grazioso - attacca 04:57
• 12 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59/3 "Razumovsky": IV. Finale. Allegro molto 05:59
• Total Runtime 01:46:20

Info for Ludwig van Beethoven: The Three String Quartets, Op. 59 (Remastered)

"The Pražàk makes the first chord of Op. 59 No. 3 sound like one of Tchaikovsky’s melancholic musings, then perfectly conveys the music’s spontaneous eruption of joy. In the following Andante, the plucked cello line is perfectly balanced with the other instruments, avoiding the “guitar” effect of the Alban Berg’s performance. The Menuetto flows gracefully, leading into a meticulous and brilliantly played Allegro finale. The performers are graced with a warm, spacious recording that places them ideally within the hall and in proximity to the microphones, allowing their full dynamic and tonal range to be faithfully reproduced. Get this marvelous album and you’ll find yourself eagerly anticipating the Pražàk’s venture into the late quartets."

"The so called "Razumovsky Quartets" (Opus 59.1-3, F Major, e minor, C Major) was commisioned by count Razumovsky. Beethoven's contemperary did not especially like them, in fact som musicians refused to play them, and some said "This is not music". Since the 200 years they were composed, in Beethovens middle period, the opinions have changed considerably. Today they are considered as some of the finest music Beethoven ever wrote. I totally agree with that, this is wonderful music. The moods are mixed, beatiful in Opus 59.1 first movement, mischievous in the second movement, abrupt and raw in opus 59.2 first movement and so on. The Prazak Quartet is a new acquantance to me, but a pleasant one. I highly recommend this recording." (A. Löfgren)

Prazák Quartet

Digitally remastered

The Pražák Quartet
one of today’s leading international chamber music ensembles - was established in 1972 while its members were students at the Prague Conservatory, and won major chamber music prizes early on, including first prize at the prestigious Evian String Quartet Competition, along with a special recording prize from Radio France. Since then, the quartet has gained attention for its place in the unique Czech quartet tradition, and for its musical virtuosity.

For more than 30 years, the Prazak Quartet has been at home on music stages worldwide. They are regular guests in the major European musical capitals such as Prague, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, Madrid, London, Berlin, and Munich, and have been invited to participate at numerous international festivals, where they have collaborated with such artists as Menahem Pressler, Jon Nakamatsu, Cynthia Phelps, Roberto Diaz, Josef Suk, and Sharon Kam.

The quartet has toured widely in North America, having performed in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Washington, Philadelphia, Toronto, Montreal and many others. The quartet returns to the US and Canada every other year.

The Prazak Quartet has recorded extensively for Praga/Harmonia Mundi which, to date, has released 50 award-winning CDs. In addition to numerous radio recordings in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic, the Prazak Quartet has also made recordings for Supraphon, Panton, Orfeo, Ottavo, Bonton, and Nuova Era.

As of 2020, violinist Marie Fuxová and cellist Jonáš Krejčí joined the quartet. The new members bring their extensive string quartet and chamber music experience, having played with the Pavel Haas, Škampa, Petersen and Schulhoff quartets as well as in many chamber orchestras and ensembles. They bring their experience and energy into the group while remaining faithful to the Czech quartet tradition, character and quality which are the longtime hallmarks of the Pražák Quartet. A new CD with the last string quartets of Josef Haydn will be released on the Aparté/Praga label in August 2021.

Booklet for Ludwig van Beethoven: The Three String Quartets, Op. 59 (Remastered)