Beethoven - String Quartet 7 [Tokyo String Quartet]
The Tokyo String Quartet are still going strong, albeit with a couple of personnel changes, they made these recordings at the end of 1989/beginning of 1990, i believe they're making new recordings of the Beethoven Quartets.
I just love the start of this String Quartet, it has that phenomenal momentum to it, there's no 'intro', straight in off the cuff it takes wing, and it pulls you along, and pulls you in!, the endearing tune is introduced by the cello, with throbbing strings in the background [0:00-0:13], but soon everyone joins in, the reprise of the initial cello theme is wonderful [2:50-3:01 & 6:51-7:02], and the lead up to it is clever and well thought out by Beethoven, towards the end of the movement this same theme is presented with real power by all of the strings in unison [9:22 onwards], again the lead up to it is presented quietly at first, but quickly gets louder and louder [9:06-9:22], a great preparation for the joyous outburst, this leads into some poignant moments in the coda, where previous themes are presented as touching memories, a revelatory performance by the Tokyo Quartet, which edges more towards sweetness than power, a great experience.
Here's the Alban Berg playing this Quartet on YouTube.
