String Quartets of Beethoven

Even more than his nine symphonies or 32 piano sonatas, Beethoven's 16 string quartets clearly demonstrate his transformation from quirky classicist to musical revolutionary. Dr. Robert Greenberg of San Francisco Performances, who has taught several other music courses filmed by The Teaching Company (including one on Beethoven's piano sonatas), proves an ebullient, committed guide to these masterworks, beginning with a good introduction to the string quartet as a form—tracing its development down to the great Franz Joseph Haydn—and continuing to provide substantial historical context over the series of 24 lectures. Greenberg analyzes each work with enthusiasm and precision, using graphics and titles effectively and, most important, calling on the fine Alexander Quartet to play segments to illustrate his points (Greenberg himself also plunks out notes on the piano to reinforce his comments). Greenberg isn't without strong opinions—witness his take on Beethoven's ultimate decision to write a more conventional finale to replace the Grosse Fugue (originally the fourth movement of the 13th quartet)—but these are always well reasoned. Although this isn't a course for those totally unfamiliar with the compositions, one needn't be able to read the musical examples in the accompanying guidebook to appreciate the instruction here. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)