Beethoven's new quartets

Composers Datebook

Synopsis

On today’s date in 1806, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote to his publishers Breitkopf and Härtel, “you may have at once three new string quartets.” These were three new works Beethoven had written on commission from the wealthy Russian ambassador to Vienna, Count Andrey Kirillovich Razumovsky.

Beethoven was stretching the truth a bit when he told his publisher they could have the quartets “at once,” since as per the Count’s commission, Razumovsky had exclusive rights to the music for a full year. But then, Beethoven had also promised the Count that he’d weave authentic Russian melodies in all three quartets but ended up doing so in just two of them.

Today, these Razumovsky Quartets rank among Beethoven’s most popular chamber works, but initially they were not well received. When shown the music prior to publication, a professional Viennese quartet assumed Beethoven was playing a practical joke on them.

The second movement of the first quartet, with its cello solo on just one note, provoked particular disdain. Muzio Clementi, who had seen these quartets in manuscript, remarked to Beethoven, “Surely you don’t consider these works to be music!”

To which Beethoven replied, “Oh, they are not for you, but for a later age.”

Music Played in Today's Program

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): String Quartet No. 1; Orford Quartet; CBC 2020