BEETHOVEN: STRING QUARTETS, OP. 59 "RAZUMOVSKY", OP. 74 "HARP" - LINDSAY STRING QUARTET

Beethoven String Quartets Op.59 (1-3) ‘Razumovsky’ Op.74 ‘Harp’

The Lindsays
Peter Cropper – violin;
Ronald Birks – violin;
Robin Ireland – viola;
Bernard Gregor-Smith — cello

“(They) open Op.59/I like a relaxed invitation … (their) nourishing perceptions are worth anyone’s time” (Gramophone)

“Extra sharpness of characterization as well as the extra warmth, compared with their earlier cycle … (No.2): the sublime molto adagio has an inner hush beyond the earlier set. (‘Harp’): fun brought out in the first movement … the adagio treated songfully…excellent sound.” ( Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Disc One (74:54)
String Quartet in F, Op.59 No.1 (‘Razumovsky’)
[1] I: Allegro 11:13
[2] II: Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando 9:20
[3] III: Adagio molto e mesto – 14:18
[4] IV: Thème Russe (Allegro) 8:31

String Quartet in C, Op.59 No.3 (‘Razumovsky’)
[5] I: Introducione (Andante con moto) – allegro vivace 10:44
[6] II: Andante con moto quasi allegretto 8:52
[7] III: Menuetto (Grazioso) 5:13
[8] IV: Allegro molto 6:38

Disc Two (68:08)
String Quartet in E minor, Op.59 No.2 (‘Razumovsky’)
[1] I: Allegro 12:59
[2] II: Molto adagio 12:32
[3] III: Allegretto 6:57
[4] IV: Presto 5:26

String Quartet in E flat, Op.74 (‘Harp’)
[5] I: Poco adagio – allego 9:47
[6] II: Adagio, ma non troppo 8:50
[7] III: Presto – 4:59
[8] IV: Allegretto con variazioni 6:34