Beethoven Quartet Cycle IV

Post-Heroic Beethoven

Napoleon Bonaparte’s 1809 bombardment of Vienna heralded a change in Beethoven’s personal life, and not for the better. Beset by increasing deafness and other health issues, his misfortunes would soon be compounded by the custody suit for guardianship of his nephew. As the sun set on Beethoven’s heroic period, he embarked on another search for his new musical persona, his next reason to compose. 

For information about the preceding Inside the Quartets with David Finckel, click here.