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An exciting new collaboration between Somm Recordings and the Tippett Quartet begins with striking performances of early and late string quartets by Mendelssohn. Fiercely imbued with the spirit of Beethoven, Mendelssohn's Opp. 12, 13 and 80 quartets brim and boil with an innovation, dynamism, emotional sincerity and technical flair some would deny the composer. These deeply felt performances from the Tippett Quartet present Mendelssohn in a new light and challenge Hans von Bülow's notorious observation that he Inchbegan as a genius and ended as a talent.Inch All three quartets - Op. 13, composed when Mendelssohn was just 18-years-old, and Op. 80, his last major work, completed two months before his death at 38 - speak movingly of loss. Op. 12 laments the passing of Beethoven, Op. 13 regrets unrequited love, Op. 80 an inconsolable response to the death of Mendelssohn's sister, Fanny. The earlier works, the Tippett Quartet says, Inchcommand an astounding expressive power and technical prowess with all the exuberance and intensity of a young man searching for the sublime and the profound.Inch Mendelssohn's last significant musical utterance, the valedictory Op. 80, Inchturns his sense of loss, grief and, most of all, anger into a truly sublime work of artInch. InchWhen we were recording them, Inch says the Tippett Quartet, Inchit felt like we were playing brand new pieces by a living composer, not works that carry, and have become burdened by, the weight of traditionInch. These poignant, powerful, emotionally raw, musically rich performances make persuasive claim for music of passion, poetry and profundity and offer fresh insights into Mendelssohn as he was meant to be played. Album Tracks 1. I. Allegro Vivace Assai 2. II. Allegro Assai 3. III. Adagio 4. IV. Finale Allegro Molto 5. I. Adagio Non Troppo - Allegro Non Tardante 6. II. Canzonetta Allegretto
