New Zealand String Quartet 2016 Photo: NZSQ
Beethoven’s epic opus 132 Quartet was written on commission in his mid-50s, during a life-threatening illness.
Beethoven’s was suffering from serious intestinal inflammation while he wrote this music and his recovery can be traced its structure, which follows the minor to major, dark to light progression familiar from the Fifth and Ninth Symphonies.
There are five movements and the third, ‘Holy Song of Thanks’ reflects Beethoven’s relief and gratitude to be alive.
It was first performed in public on 6 November 1825.
Recorded 19 May 2018, St Andrew's on the Terrace, Wellington by RNZ Concert.
Engineer: Graham Kennedy
