Catalogue

Summary:

The Cypress String Quartet completes their cycle of the genre’s greatest oeuvre with a two-album set of Beethoven’s six ground-breaking quartets, Op. 18, alongside a reissue of their previously self-released recording of the late quartets. For the past several seasons, the Cypresses have immersed themselves in performing Beethoven on tours throughout the United States and Europe as well as recording all 16 works plus the “Grande Fugue” (Große Fuge). The completion of their Beethoven cycle is a fitting celebration of the Bay Area-based ensemble’s 20th anniversary as well as their valedictory season: their final performance will take place in June 2016, preceded by a month-long Beethoven celebration performing all of the quartets throughouut the city of San Francisco.

Tracklist:

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
CD 1
String Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18, No. 1
1. I. Allegro con brio (9.33)
2. II. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato (9.20)
3. III. Scherzo. Allegro molto (3.28)
4. IV. Allegro (6.46)

String Quartet No. 2 in G major, Op. 18, No. 2
5. I. Allegro (8.07)
6. II. Adagio cantabile (5.43)
7. III. Scherzo. Allegro (5.06)
8. IV. Allegro molto, quasi Presto (6.11)

String Quartet No. 6 in B-flat major, Op. 18, No. 6
9. I. Allegro con brio (6.19)
10. II. Adagio, ma non troppo (7.01)
11. III. Scherzo. Allegro (3.33)
12. IV. La Malinconia. Adagio – Allegretto quasi Allegro (7.50)
Total time CD 1: 79.09

CD 2
String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 18, No. 3
1. I. Allegro (8.07)
2. II. Andante con moto (7.57)
3. III. Allegro (3.17)
4. IV. Presto (6.47)

String Quartet No. 4 in C minor, Op. 18, No. 4
5. I. Allegro, ma non tanto (9.03)
6. II. Scherzo. Andante scherzoso quasi Allegretto (7.19)
7. III. Menuetto. Allegretto (3.41)
8. IV. Allegro (4.43)

String Quartet No. 5 in A major, Op. 18, No. 5
9. I. Allegro (6.54)
10. II. Menuetto – Trio (4.47)
11. III. Andante cantabile con variazioni (9.39)
12. IV. Allegro (6.49)
Total time CD 2: 79.17

Cypress String Quartet
Cecily Ward, violin
Tom Stone, violin
Ethan Filner, viola
Jennifer Kloetzel, cello

Recorded: 19 August – 6 September 2015
, Skywalker Sound
Producer: Cecily Ward

Recording engineer: Mark Willsher

Assistant engineers: Dann Thompson and Judy Kirschner