Sunday Morning Concert

While listening to the radio in the car on Saturday, the program host began an introduction of Beethoven's favorite among his String Quartets, Number 14 in C Sharp Minor, Opus 131.  In his introduction, the host mentioned a 2012 film, A Late Quartet, in which the Fourteenth played a prominent role.  Here is a brief synopsis of the film:

A Late Quartet is a 2012 American drama film co-written (with Seth Grossman), produced, and directed by Yaron Zilberman.^[3][4] The film uses chamber music played by the Brentano String Quartet and especially, Beethoven's Op. 131.

As the Fugue String quartet approaches its 25th anniversary, the onset of a debilitating illness to cellist Peter Mitchell (Christopher Walken), forces its members to reevaluate their relationships. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Peter announces his decision to play one final concert before he retires. Meanwhile the second violinist, Robert (Philip Seymour Hoffman), voices his desire to alternate the first violinist role, long held by Daniel (Mark Ivanir). Robert is married to Juliette (Catherine Keener), the viola player of the group. Upon discovering Juliette does not support him in this matter, Robert has a one-night stand. Further complicating matters, their daughter, Alexandra (Imogen Poots), begins an affair with Daniel, whom her mother once pined for. Yet bound together by their years of collaboration, the quartet will search for a fitting farewell to their shared passion of music and perhaps even a new beginning. 

It was an entertaining film filled with great music.  The music in the film thus inspired research into Beethoven's Late Quartets and consequently today's concert selections.  These six quartets (counting the Große Fuge) comprise Beethoven's last major, completed compositions. Although dismissed by the musicians and audiences of Beethoven's time, they are widely considered to be among the greatest musical compositions of all time, and have inspired many composers and musicians. Igor Stravinsky described the Große Fuge as "an absolutely contemporary piece of music that will be contemporary forever". Richard Wagner, when reflecting on Op. 131's first movement, said that it "reveals the most melancholy sentiment expressed in music". The quartets have been performed and recorded by string quartets worldwide.

At one time the most famous String Quartet in the world was the Alban Berg Quartet (retired, 2008) who in 1989 recorded all of Beethoven's Late String Quartets in a live performance in what could only be described as an intimate setting.  Posted down below are two excerpts from that concert, String Quartet Number 14 in C Sharp Minor, Opus 131 a work in seven movements.  Beethoven intended for this Quartet to be performed 'attacca' which is defined as : Attack or attach; go straight on (i.e. at the end of a movement, a direction to attach the next movement to the previous one, without a gap or pause).  Beethoven himself rated the Fourteenth as his most perfect single work.

The second excerpt in the play list is Beethoven's String Quartet Number 15 in A Minor, Opus 132 which holds a beauty all its own.  To complete today's concert selections, over on my tumblr, you may join the ABQ for a final excerpt from their 1989 performance, the String Quartet Number 16 in F Major, Opus 135.

To heap incredible beauty on top of glorious music is the aim of this fabulously sexy edition of Naked or Nearly So! posted down below.  Meanwhile your Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr is full of 'Anticipation...'  just waiting for you.  Thanks for sharing part of your Sunday Morning with me, join me again tomorrow as we being another week of Music, Men & More!  Until next time as always, Enjoy!