Beethoven returned to writing string quartets in the last years of his life, when he was almost totally deaf and had withdrawn from public appearances. This six-movement quartet shows the influence of this self-imposed exile in its introspective first and last movements and its quirky presto, while visions of the old, melodic composer shine through in the heartfelt and straightforward "Cavatina," as well as the "Alla danza" movement. The composer originally intended the sixth movement to be the jagged and craggy "Grosse Fugue," but was convinced by his publisher to substitute another movement, the fugue being published on its own as Opus 133. On this CD, it's put between the fifth and finalized last movement of the quartet, so that you can decide how to hear the work by using the programming features of your CD player. The Petersen Quartet is, in a word, fabulous. Now entering its 21st year, its members play with incredible precision, unanimity of tone, and nuance. When there is a sudden diminuendo, for instance, all of the players take it at exactly the same increment, as if it was one four-voiced instrument. To hear virtuoso stunts like this is breathtaking , but the Petersen Quartet is just as much about making great music as startling effects. The incredible collective technique of this ensemble is always used to a musical end, which makes this a highly desirable CD performance of this piece. It's the third installment in a Beethoven quartet cycle that is, for my money, "the one" to be collecting as we go into the new century.

--Rad Bennett