The Complete Beethoven Cycle: The Quartets in Context presents these essential masterpieces alongside works by composers who influenced Beethoven and those who were inspired by him.
On this site, members of the Emerson String Quartet explore Beethoven’s string quartets, discussing his struggles, his deafness, his musical achievements, and his legacy. This site also offers historical accounts and sound clips of excerpts from the quartets.
Discovery Day
SAT, JUNE 2, 2007 11 AM–5 PM
Weill Recital Hall
The Emerson String Quartet joins Beethoven biographer Edmund Morris and host Ara Guzelimian for a lively exploration of Beethoven’s string quartets and their central place in the repertoire with performances, talks, and demonstration.
Concerts
THURS, MAY 31, 2007 8 PM
Three Classical quartets in the key of C major—“The Bird” Quartet by Haydn, the “Dissonance” Quartet by Mozart, and Beethoven’s own Op. 59, No. 3
Prelude Concert at 6:45 PM: Anna Polonsky, Piano
SUN, JUNE 3, 2007 5 PM (part 1) and 8 PM (part 2)
Beethoven’s first set of quartets—all six of them—presented in a double concert, with a dinner break in between
TUES, JUNE 5, 2007 8 PM
Quartets by Mendelssohn and Schubert in which the composers quote from their own songs, and a Beethoven quartet that boasts a “Russian” theme—by Beethoven himself!
Prelude Concert at 6:45 PM: Christian Van Horn, Bass-Baritone • Molly Morkoski, Piano
THURS, JUNE 7, 2007 8 PM
Three quartets that broke the rules, by Brahms, Ives, and Beethoven
Prelude Concert at 6:45 PM: Jeremy Denk, Piano
SUN, JUNE 10, 2007 8 PM
A study in expansion and concision with works by Webern, Beethoven, and Bartók
Prelude Concert at 6:45 PM: Jeremy Denk, Piano
TUES, JUNE 12, 2007 8 PM
Two of Beethoven’s other-worldly last quartets and one from Wolfgang Rihm
Prelude Concert at 6:45 PM: Inon Barnatan, Piano • Arnaud Sussmann, Violin • Priscilla Lee, Cello
THURS, JUNE 14, 2007 8 PM
The art of fugue with works by Bach, Shostakovich, and Beethoven
Prelude Concert at 6:45 PM: Nina Lee, Cello • Thomas Sauer, Piano
SUN, JUNE 17, 2007 8 PM
Beethoven’s last two quartets along with a world premiere by composer Kaija Saariaho
Prelude Concert at 6:45 PM: Jessica Lee, Violin • Ieva Jokubaviciute, Piano
Perspectives concerts are made possible, in part, by a generous grant from The Alice Tully Foundation.
Audio interview sequences on this website edited by Hilan Warshaw