Beethoven Quatuors à cordes | String Quartets Volume 3 | Opp. 127, 130, 131, 132, 133 Grosse Fugue 135 - The late string quartets QUATUOR ALCAN Laura Andriani, violin I ~ Nathalie Camus, violin II Luc Beauchemin, viola ~ David Ellis, cello ACD2 2493 3 CDs • The Alcan String Quartet celebrates its 25th anniversary with a landmark three-volume recording of the complete cycle of Beethoven's 16 string quartets.   Volume 1, containing the 6 quartets from Beethoven's early period, was released last November.   Volume 2 was released last February, and volume 3 has been available since May 12, 2015. • “The waters of the Danube will empty themselves into the sea many a time before the creations of this man will have been fully understood,” said Schubert.   Indeed, during the first half of the 19th century, Beethoven's last quartets generated more astonishment than enthusiasm.   The first ever performance of the complete cycle of 16 quartets was held in London in 1845. • The Alcan Quartet — violinists Laura Andriani and Nathalie Camus, violist Luc Beauchemin, and cellist David Ellis — is active in Canada and internationally.   The quartet's originality, contagious enthusiasm, unique sonority, and remarkable cohesion have all contributed to its success.   Both on stage and in the recording studio, the Alcan Quartet possesses the qualities that characterize the best ensembles of its kind: a recognizable personality, a homogeneous sound, and an elegant style. CD 1. Quatuor n° 12, en mi bér;mol majeur, op. 127 Quartet No. 12 in E flat major. Op. 127     [ 34:50 ]   1.   I. Maestoso - Allegro teneramente     [ 6:30 ]   2.  I.Adagio, ma non troppo e molto cantabile     [ 13:33 ]   3. III. Scherzando vivace     [ 8:15 ]   4. IV. Finale     [ 6:32 ] Quatuor n° 14, en ut dièse mineur, op. 131 Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor. Op. 131     [ 39:01 ]   5.   I. Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo     [ 6:48 ]   6.  II. Allegro molto vivace     [ 2:56 ]   7. III. Allegro moderato-Adagio     [ 0:48 ]   8. IV. Andante, ma non troppo e molto cantabile       lre Variation - 2e Variation (più mosso)       3e Variation (andante moderato e lusinghiero)       4e Variation (adagio)       5e Variation (Allegretto)       6e Variation (Adagio ma non troppo e semplice)       7e Variation (Allegretto)     [ 14:31 ]   9.  V. Presto     [ 5:30 ] 10. VI. Adagio quasi un poco andante     [ 2:00 ] 11. VII. Allegro     [ 6:38 ] CD 2. Quatuor n° 13, en si bémol majeur, op. 130 Quartet No. 13 in B fiat major. Op. 130     [ 41:25 ]   1.   I. Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro     [ 13:02 ]   2.  II. Presto     [ 2:05 ]   3. III. Andante con moto ma non troppo.       Poco scherzando     [ 7:08 ]   4. IV. Alla danza tedesca: Allegro assai     [ 3:06 ]   5.  V. Cavaîina : Adagio molto espressivo     [ 6:16 ]   6. VI. Finale: Allegro     [ 9:48 ] Grande Fugue en si bémol majeur, op. 133 «Große Fuge» in B fiat major. Op. 133     [ 16:43 ]   7. Overtura. Allegro - Meno mosso e moderato -       Allegro - Fuga CD 3. Quatuor n° 15, en la mineur, op. 132 Quartet No. 15 in A minor. Op. 132     [ 43:43 ]   1.   I. Assai sostenuto - Allegro     [ 9:03 ]   2.  II. Allegro ma non tanto     [ 9:00 ]   3. III. Canzona di ringraziamento. Molto adagio -       Sestendo nuova forza. Andante     [ 16:37 ]   4. IV. Alla marcia, assai vivace - Più allegro -       Presto     [ 2:11 ]   5. V. Allegro appassionato     [ 6:52 ] Quatuor n° 16, en fa majeur, op. 135 Quartet No. 16 in F major. Op. 135     [ 22:45 ]   6.   I. Allegretto     [ 6:07 ]   7.  II. Vivace     [ 3:15 ]   8. III. Lento assai, cantate e tranquille     [ 6:44 ]   9. IV. Grave ma non troppo tratto - Allegro     [ 6:39 ] ATMA Classique is distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading PO Box 44, Briar Hill, Vic, 3088, Australia Telephone +61 (0)3 9432 4149 ~ Facsimile +61 (0)3 9444 6879