Beethoven String Quartets Op.59 (1-3) ‘Razumovsky’ Op.74 ‘Harp’The LindsaysPeter 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 6:38Disc 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 5:26String 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
