Quatuor Diotima - Beethoven: The Late String Quartets (2026)

Quatuor Diotima presents an album of Beethoven’s late string quartets, bringing renewed clarity and passion to some of the most profound works in the chamber repertoire. Written in the final years of his life, these late quartets unfold as deeply expressive explorations of form, counterpoint and human emotion. From the solemn majesty of Op. 127 to the transcendent variations of Op. 132 and the taut and spirited finale of Op. 135, Beethoven’s vision is at once intimate and vast, weaving intricate textures and soaring lyricism into a continuous, compelling musical narrative. Quatuor Diotima’s interpretations illuminate every nuance, revealing the inventive brilliance and emotional depth that make these works enduring masterpieces.

One of the most in-demand chamber ensembles in the world today, Quatuor Diotima has worked in close collaboration with several of the greatest composers of the late twentieth century, projecting fresh light onto the masterpieces of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Reflected in the mirror of today’s music, the quartet brings new insight and energy to Beethoven’s late voice. The ensemble returns to PENTATONE following their acclaimed Metamorphosis Ligeti (2023), Bruckner & Klose: String Quartets (2024) and Boulez: Livre pour Quatuor (2025), and most recently Lachenmann: Works for String Quartet in November 2025.

Tracklist
01 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127- I. Maestoso - Allegro
02 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127- II. Adagio ma non troppo e molto cantabile
03 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127- III. Scherzando vivace
04 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127- IV. Finale.
05 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131- I. Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo
06 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131- II. Allegro molto vivace
07 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131- III. Allegro moderato
08 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131- IV. Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile
09 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131- V. Presto
10 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131- VI. Adagio quasi un poco andante
11 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131- VII. Allegro
12 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132- I. Assai sostenuto - Allegro
13 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132- II. Allegro ma non tanto
14 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132- III. Molto adagio – Andante
15 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132- IV. Alla marcia assai vivace – Più allegro
16 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132- V. Allegro appassionato
17 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135- I. Allegretto
18 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135- II. Vivace
19 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135- III. Assai lento cantante e tranquillo
20 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135- IV. Der schwer gefasste Entschluss. Grave, ma non troppo tratto — Allegro
21 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130- I. Adagio ma non troppo — Allegro
22 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130- II. Presto
23 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130- III. Poco scherzoso. Andante con moto ma non troppo
24 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130- IV. Alla danza tedesca. Allegro assai
25 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130- V. Cavatina. Adagio molto espressivo
26 Beethoven- Overtura - Fuga[Grosse Fuge, Op. 133]
27 Beethoven- String Quartet No. 13 in B-Flat Major, Op. 130- VI. Finale. Allegro