Title: Streich-Quartette für 2 Violinen, Viola und Violoncello
Description: Quartets of op. 18 were published between 1800-1801 and were presented in the saloons of count Lichnowsky by a quartet conducted by de Ignatz Schuppanzigh. They were dedicated to prince Lobkowitz. Quartet in F major opens the cycle of op. 18. And due to the musical dynamism and the powerful contrasts it is considered the greatest work of the six. The lyrical atmosphere, somewhat dramatic of the second part is very impressive, rendering the crypt scene from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet if we take into account Amenda's assertions in a letter to Wiedemann, or even the indication on the score of the work, "The Last Sighs". Quartet in G major no. 2 was also named "Komplimentierquartett" especially due to the extremely jovial character of the first theme, often interpreted as a sequence of ceremonial salutes. In its expression, the G major quartet pays tribute to the preclassical period, but also to the atmosphere of entertainment specific to the works of Haydn or Mozart. In the Quartet in C minor, Beethoven moves towards the concerto form, an almost orchestral construction, outlined by the harmony and the cluster of secondary voices, thus allowing the first violin to dominate the scene. - Iulian Munteanu at all-about-beethoven.com