In Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets Vol. 1, the Ariel Quartet embarks on a profound journey through Beethoven’s Op. 18 quartets. Recorded over sessions in 2022 and 2023 at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, this release captures the Ariel Quartet’s interpretation in a heartfelt reconnection. The quartet’s history with these works, especially Op. 18 No. 4, the first piece they tackled as teenagers, infuses this project with personal significance, marking a reflection on their beginnings and evolution.
String Quartet in F major, Op. 18 No. 1 opens the album. The first movement opens with a distinctive “question” motif, building an aura of inquiry and exploration. This motif undergoes masterful development, showcasing Beethoven’s early compositional fluidity. The second movement, inspired by the tomb scene from Romeo and Juliet, delves into themes of tragedy and emotional depth, with the Ariel Quartet capturing its operatic intensity. The Scherzo and Finale continue the interplay of light and shadow, highlighting Beethoven’s early mastery of contrast and form. The quartet brings a sense of adventure with their phrasing and colors.
String Quartet in D major, Op. 18 No. 3, although numbered third, this was the first quartet Beethoven composed in the Op. 18 set. The first movement exudes lyrical charm and structural elegance, with the Ariel Quartet emphasizing its gentle themes with warmth and dynamics. The Andante con moto offers a touch of poignancy, while the Scherzo provides an engaging contrast. The Finale, a spirited Presto, balances technical passages with playful energy, the Ariel Quartet inviting listeners into its vivacious world with clean phrasing and pulse.
The opening Allegro con brio presents a lively dialogue between instruments, setting the stage for the quartet’s expressive journey through String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 18 No. 6. The Adagio ma non troppo explores harmonic movement, transitioning from E-flat major to E-flat minor, showcasing Beethoven’s exploration of voice groupings. The Scherzo is characterized by rhythmic vitality and unexpected accents, injecting a sense of spontaneity. The Finale, titled “La Malinconia,” is an exploration of melancholy, juxtaposing somber introspection with bursts of brightness with the Ariel Quartet embodying Beethoven’s capacity for emotional cleverness.
Often referred to as the “Komplimentier-Quartett” due to its graceful and courtly demeanor, String Quartet in G major, Op. 18 No. 2 embraces classical forms with a light-hearted touch. The first movement’s elegant themes are delivered with charm, while the Adagio cantabile showcases a warm and intimate cantilena, where the first violin sings an aria of devotion. The Scherzo and Finale continue the quartet’s playful spirit, reflecting Beethoven’s engagement with tradition while hinting at his innovative tendencies.
String Quartet in C minor, Op. 18 No. 4 embodies the Sturm und Drang aesthetic, presenting a dramatic and emotionally charged narrative. The first movement dives into the drama and urgency characteristic of early German Romanticism, while the second movement offers a lighter, more playful contrast. The Menuetto and Finale maintain the quartet’s intense energy, with the Ariel Quartet delivering a performance that captures both the work’s technical demands and its emotional depth. As the first quartet tackled by the Ariel Quartet, it holds a special place in their artistic journey, symbolizing both their beginnings and their evolution
String Quartet in A major, Op. 18 No. 5 pays homage to Mozart’s quartet in the same key, blending classical clarity with Beethoven’s emerging voice. The first movement is bright and exuberant, showcasing Beethoven’s light touch. The Menuetto, placed second, offers a dance theme that hints at Schubertian charm. The Andante cantabile, a theme-and-variations movement, covers significant emotional ground, while the Finale is full of Mozartean energy, featuring cascading descending scales and a charming pizzicato section. This quartet features a unique movement order and thematic development, showcasing Beethoven’s willingness to experiment within established forms.
The Ariel Quartet approaches this cycle as a “testament to [their] belief in the enduring relevance of this incredible music.” Their intent is not to add to the crowded shelf of Beethoven quartet recordings, but to offer something distinct in interpretation and sound. This commitment shines through in the balance they strike between analytical precision and heartfelt communication.
From the opening of the F major quartet, Op. 18 No. 1, the listener is met with a clear sense of narrative purpose. The famed “question” motif is shaped not just with impeccable intonation, but with inflected nuance, every phrase a gesture, every silence a breath. The quartet’s reading of the La Malinconia movement from Op. 18 No. 6 particularly underscores their expressive priorities. The slow introduction is neither indulgent nor rushed; it breathes with melancholy dignity before yielding to a sprightly Allegretto that refuses to trivialize the pain that came before.
Much of this emotional accessibility stems from the sonic clarity of the recording itself. The production, engineered by Jesse Lewis , whose “remarkable ear and possibly even more remarkable patience” the quartet rightly praises. The soundstage allows the full dynamic range of the ensemble to come through without compromise. The intimate balance in the Andante cantabile of Op. 18 No. 5, for instance, reveals not only the thematic transformations but the micro-level interaction between the players: the way the inner voices bloom, recede, or momentarily take center stage.
The recording’s warmth never dulls its transparency. In the C minor quartet, Op. 18 No. 4, the group’s formative cornerstone, we hear both the raw energy of youthful Beethoven and the ensemble’s matured understanding of form. Their interpretation avoids Romantic overstatement, favoring dramatic clarity rooted in rhythmic drive and counterpoint.
With this first volume of Beethoven’s complete string quartets, the Ariel Quartet succeeds in their self-appointed mission: to offer a new lens on enduring music. This is a cycle lovingly re-inhabited, and luminously rendered. Their collaboration matches the depth of their interpretative ambition, capturing performances of warm, immediacy, and texturally faithful to their live voice. That’s the short of it!
