The Doric String Quartet continues its cycle of Beethoven quartets with this third volume, featuring a mixture of works from the composer’s early, middle, and late periods. Notable for the piano start of each of its four movements, Op. 18 No. 3 also displays a more even distribution of thematic material among the four instruments than is normal for that time. Op. 59 No. 3 is the last of Beethoven’s second set of quartets, dedicated to Count Razumovsky, the Russian ambassador to the Viennese court, and also a fine violinist. Op. 74 is famous for the pizzicato, arpeggio passages in the first movement, giving rise to its nickname – the ‘Harp’ Quartet.

The final two quartets in this CD set, Op. 132 and Op. 135, date from Beethoven’s late period. The late quartets are widely acknowledged as some of the most extraordinary music Beethoven wrote. Misunderstood and confusing to their first audiences, they have gone on to inspire countless composers and musicians, and are considered some of the greatest music ever written.

As with the previous issues in the series, this double album is sold at two CDs for the price of one.