6 BEETHOVEN LATE QUARTETS 2 [CASTALIAN QUARTET]

Adès: Arcadiana, Op.12
Beethoven: Quartet in B-flat, Op.130 [Grosse Fuge]

Castalian Quartet

Beethoven was famously plagued with second thoughts and might mull on his ideas for years before finding their final form. The second of his late quartets is one of the most famous examples. Its original finale (the Grosse Fuge of its title) was so profoundly challenging to contemporary listeners and players alike that it divided even his most loyal and trusted supporters. Years later, Beethoven offered an alternative, but he never relinquished his belief in the original and it is this that the Castalian Quartet profoundly believe is the right way to end an astounding piece.

The Castalian Quartet have been living with Op.130 – and with Ades’ music – for many years and have inspired high praise for both. They came to ENF first in 2017 and were immediately reinvited having thrilled one critic to write ‘The revelation … was the silvery playing of the Castalians’ (The Arts Desk).