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Presented by Katie Derham, from the West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge. The Szymanowski Quartet's concert concludes with Beethoven's String Quartet in A minor, Op 132.

Live from the West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge

Presented by Katie Derham

The music of 20th century Polish composer Karol Szymanowski (after whom tonight's quartet is named) is suffused not only with a heady romanticism and folk music but also with classical elements - epitomised by the quartets of Haydn - so it's fitting that Szymanowski's 2nd String Quartet is preceeded in tonight's concert by one of Haydn's great quartets. Beethoven wrote his opus 132 quartet after recovering from a serious illness which he had feared was fatal and so he titled the third movement 'A Convalescent's Holy Song of Thanksgiving to the Divinity' it contains some of the composers most sublime and transcendental music.

Beethoven: String Quartet in A minor, Op 132

Szymanowski Quartet.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Wed 18 May 2011 20:30

Broadcast

  • Wed 18 May 2011 20:30

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