Leah Hollingsworth hears the performance of Beethoven’s ‘Rasumovsky’ Quartets at New York’s Alice Tully Hall on 28 January 2025
The opportunity to hear all three of Beethoven’s ‘Rasumovsky’ Quartets in one evening is a privilege – a monumental journey that spans a lifetime and yet simultaneously causes time to stand still. It’s part of the award-winning Calidore Quartet’s complete Beethoven cycle at Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center this season. Each quartet of op.59 was masterfully performed, but perhaps what impressed most was the way the group kept the score itself at the forefront of its interpretations.
In the Allegro of op.59 no.1, I was continually struck by the sweetness of sound from the Calidore – both as individuals and as a whole. The phrasing and structure of the line in the Allegretto vivace was always clear and the spiccato never overshadowed the pitch. The ‘Thème russe’ finale potently summed up the Calidore’s approach, allowing the music’s character and sonority to lead the way.
The opening of op.59 no.2 captured well the mystery and drama of this E minor work. The first violin descant line in the Molto adagio was utterly beautiful and the humour and impishness of the Allegretto was fully conveyed. There was much to praise in op.59 no.3 too, given with great energy and impressive clarity. The characterful cello pizzicato accompanied well the melancholy melody in the Andante and the final Allegro molto was suitably thrilling. All told, a wonderful evening.
Leah Hollingsworth
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