Ludwig van Beethoven - String Quartets Vol. 3 (Doric String Quartet)

Information

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

• String Quartet in D Major, Op. 18 No. 3
• String Quartet in C Major, Op. 59 No. 3
• String Quartet in E Flat Major, Op. 74
• String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132
• String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135

Doric String Quartet

    Maia Cabeza, violin

    Ying Xue, violin

    Emma Wernig, viola

    John Myerscough, cello

Date: 2026

Label: Chandos

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The Doric String Quartet continues its celebrated Beethoven quartet cycle with this third volume, spanning works across the composer's early, middle, and late creative periods. The release features the early Op. 18 No. 3, notable for its quiet movement openings and balanced thematic distribution, alongside the "Razumovsky" Op. 59 No. 3 and the "Harp" Op. 74, famed for its distinct pizzicato arpeggios. Completing the set are the late masterpieces Op. 132 and Op. 135. Once baffling to early listeners, these late quartets now stand as profound, enduring landmarks of the string quartet repertoire that continue to inspire generations of composers.

Formed in 1998, the UK-based Doric String Quartet is an acclaimed ensemble comprising violinists Maia Cabeza and Ying Xue, violist Emma Wernig, and cellist John Myerscough. Following top honors at the Osaka and Premio Paolo Borciani competitions in 2008, the quartet established a distinguished international reputation. Their repertoire spans traditional masters from Haydn and Beethoven to contemporary figures like John Adams, Thomas Adès, and Brett Dean. Recording for Chandos Records since 2009, the ensemble also holds key educational leadership roles as Teaching Quartet in Association at the Royal Academy of Music and artistic directors of the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival.