Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1 Ariel Quartet

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 No. 1:
• 1 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 No. 1: I. Allegro con brio 09:09
• 2 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 No. 1: II. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato 08:40
• 3 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 No. 1: III. Scherzo. Allegro molto 03:26
• 4 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 No. 1: IV. Allegro 06:26
• String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 18 No. 3, Op. 18 No. 2:
• 5 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 18 No. 3, Op. 18 No. 2: I. Allegro 07:36
• 6 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 18 No. 3, Op. 18 No. 2: II. Andante con moto 08:09
• 7 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 18 No. 3, Op. 18 No. 2: III. Allegro 02:56
• 8 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 18 No. 3, Op. 18 No. 2: IV. Presto 06:31
• String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 No. 6:
• 9 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 No. 6: I. Allegro con brio 08:46
• 10 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 No. 6: II. Adagio, ma non troppo 07:02
• 11 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 No. 6: III. Scherzo. Allegro 03:21
• 12 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 No. 6: IV. La malinconia. Adagio - V. Allegretto quasi allegro 08:10
• String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18 No. 2:
• 13 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18 No. 2: I. Allegro 08:19
• 14 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18 No. 2: II. Adagio cantabile 06:11
• 15 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18 No. 2: III. Scherzo. Allegro 04:33
• 16 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 18 No. 2: IV. Allegro molto, quasi presto 05:36
• String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 18 No. 4:
• 17 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 18 No. 4: I. Allegro, ma non tanto 08:28
• 18 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 18 No. 4: II. Scherzo. Andante scherzoso quasi allegretto 07:18
• 19 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 18 No. 4: III. Minuet. Allegretto 03:32
• 20 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 18 No. 4: IV. Allegro 04:39
• String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5:
• 21 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5: I. Allegro 09:51
• 22 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5: II. Minuet 05:13
• 23 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5: III. Andante cantabile con variazioni 09:53
• 24 Beethoven: String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18 No. 5: IV. Allegro 06:29
• Total Runtime 02:40:14

Info for Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1

Formed in Israel almost three decades ago and now based in the United States, the Ariel quartet has built a reputation for tackling challenging repertoire with bold interpretations and deep musical insight. This suitably ambitious new project, timed to coincide with the quartet’s 30th anniversary in 2028, highlights their dedication to Beethoven’s transformative works, tracing his journey from the classical brilliance of the early quartets to the spiritual profundity of his later ones. Volume one of the cycle will be followed by two further volumes, and finally the release of a box set to celebrate the quartet’s three decades of performance.

Ariel Quartet

Ariel Quartet A happy accident kickstarted our group in 1998, when we were 13 years old at a school for music and dance. Amidst stretching ballerinas and improvising jazz pianists, we were simply assigned to play together. Our teacher spoon-fed us repertoire just beyond our ability, knowing we were about to discover the addictive magic of playing string quartets. We spent our teenage years rehearsing in the school attic, immersing ourselves in the rich string quartet repertoire while learning to navigate both the music and our evolving relationships. Balancing a budding concert career with high school life was both challenging and rewarding, often providing excellent excuses to skip class. This lifestyle juxtaposition was on full display when we showed up to the prize-announcement ceremony of the 2003 Franz Schubert and Modern Music Competition in Graz, wearing pyjamas, ready to cheer on the prize winners – only to discover we were to be awarded the first prize ourselves…

Today, 27 years in and with three founding members still on board, our mission is to breathe life into the bread and butter of the string quartet repertoire while shining a spotlight on the compelling music of our time. This commitment led us to perform the complete Beethoven cycle before any of us turned 30, while also expanding the repertoire through commissions by established composers such as Mohammed Fairouz, Matan Porat or John Harbison. The joy of sharing the music we love with audiences in the most direct way remains the essence of our experience as musicians – it is the “glue” that has kept us together for more than half our lives. We were fortunate to have had inspiring mentors, including the members of the Cleveland Quartet, Walter Levin of the LaSalle Quartet, and the Amadeus Quartet. Over the past 12 years, succeeding the LaSalle Quartet as Quartet-in-Residence at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) has become a deeply fulfilling part of our lives. Sharing the experience we’ve gained onstage, we maintain individual studios, mentor young ensembles, and are particularly excited about the recent revival of the renowned graduate string quartet residency program.

Our unusual journey has been fundamental in shaping who we are. Beyond the demands of our shared professional path, we have walked together as friends who have truly become family. From late-night debates about tempo and sight-reading marathons to raising our children alongside one another while balancing an international concert career, we have shared every stage of life. This closeness has created a deep and unique bond that continues to shape our identity, both on stage and beyond.

Booklet for Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1