Wednesdays, 1-3pm

September 13 - October 4

The string quartets by Beethoven (1770-1827) encompass his most personal and intimate thoughts and ideas, his purist writing, clearly tracing his evolution as a master composer. The early period quartets show Beethoven's grasp of the 18th century models of Haydn and Mozart, while establishing his own identity. In his middle period quartets, Beethoven expands the scope and range, providing music of more complexity and intensity. The late period quartets present a music of new spirituality and mysticism "otherworldly" as the composer strives for new methods of expression and creativity. It has often been said, that to only know the symphonies, concertos and sonatas by Beethoven is to have an incomplete picture of his musical genius.