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:

CD 1
String Quartet No. 12 in E-flat major, Op. 127
1. I. Maestoso – Allegro (6:05)
2. II. Adagio, ma non troppo e molto cantabile (14:44)
3. III. Scherzando vivace (8:54)
4. IV. Allegro (6:47)

String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132
5. I. Assai sostenuto – Allegro (9:49)
6. II Allegro ma non tanto (8:32)
7. III. Molto Adagio – Andante (16:12)
8. IV. Alla marcia, assai vivace (2:14)
9. V. Allegro appassionato – Presto (6:31)
Total time CD 1: 79.53

CD 2
String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat major, Op. 130
1. I. Adagio ma non troppo – Allegro (14:18)
2. II. Presto (2:07)
3. III. Poco scherzoso: Andante con moto ma non troppo (7:25)
4. IV. Alla Danza tedesca: Allegro assai (3:57)
5. V. Cavatina: Adagio molto espressivo (6:34)

6. String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 130: Original finale (1825): Grosse Fuge: Overtura – Fuga (Op. 133) (15:15)
7. String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 130: Alternate finale (1826): Finale: Allegro (10:48)
Total time CD 2: 60.35

CD 3
String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 131
1. I. Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo (5:44)
2. II. Allegro molto vivace (3:06)
3. III. Allegro moderato (0:43)
4. IV. Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile-Piu mosso-Andante moderato e lusinghiero-Adagio-Allegretto-Adagio ma non troppo e semplice-Allegretto (14:27)
5. V. Presto (5:19)
6. VI. Adagio quasi un poco andante (2:13)
7. VII. Allegro (6:58)

String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135
8. I. Allegretto (6:41)
9. II. Vivace (3:20)
10. III. Lento assai, cantante e tranquillo (7:17)
11. IV. Grave ma non troppo tratto – Allegro (6:56)
Total time CD 3: 62.50

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

Recorded: September 2007 (Op.135); June 2008 (Opp. 130 & 131); December 2009 (Op.133); October 2011 (Opp. 127 & 132)
Producer: Cecily Ward
Recording engineer: Mark Willsher
Assistant engineers: Dann Thompson, Judy Kirschner, and Robert Gatley