Cuarteto Casals: Bach, Haydn and Beethoven

Cuarteto Casals

"Freed from an incessant fog of cloying vibrato, the composer's invigorating harmonic daring is experienced as a series of sonic shock waves" are several reviewers' words about the Beethoven cycle that Cuarteto Casals has recorded in recent years. Daring is what characterizes the Spaniards; their playing is very inventive. The musicians, who have been performing as a foursome for over a quarter of a century, always carefully put together their programs. That is also the case tonight.

Bach and Beethoven

Beethoven wrote his Razumovsky quartets on behalf of the Russian ambassador. In 1806, they were the apotheosis of the classical string quartet: the parts were unprecedented in size, while the musical language remained familiar. Opus 59 No. 3 is notable for its grand finale, one of Beethoven's most monumental quartet compositions. Equally monumental is Bach's Art of the Fugue. When gallant music emerged, Bach composed a strict, ascetic work of art that reflected a cosmic order.