Beethoven

Long description:

These recordings can be played by anyone within the European Union.

Many music-lovers consider that Beethoven’s String Quartets demonstrate a mastery of compositional technique, a profundity of musical thought, and an intensity of expression almost unrivalled in European classical music.

Musicology has traditionally regarded performances of any musical work as ‘failures’ to realize the true essences of the music, better approached through close investigation of the notes on the page. The scores of the quartets have been subjected to detailed analysis and commentary. But performances have not been as carefully scrutinised, partly because it has been difficult to obtain access to a comprehensive collection of recordings.

• It includes recordings of about 750 performances of Beethoven String Quartets, as played by 90 ensembles.
• The earliest recording was made in 1920, and the latest in 2001.

The recordings show changing trends in performing styles – speeds, tempo variation, players’ bowing techniques, qualities of vibrato. Accompanying words in liner-notes reflect changing attitudes towards the sounds.

Beethoven’s string quartets, far from being monuments, are re-created for each generation and each individual listener.

An overview of classical music sound recordings held in the British Library.

Links to:

• The AHRC Research Centre for the History and Analysis of Recorded Music
• Performance Practice on Record
• King's College Sound Archive
• University of Illinois - Beethoven forum

All recordings on this site are governed by licence agreements.