Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

The acclaimed series of Delos recordings of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center continues with Beethoven in New York. The cover art, which shows the master in his pastoral mood in a corner of Central Park with the New York skyline in the background, suggests the delights of this program – an idyllic evening of chamber masterpieces played by some of the most sophisticated musicians to be found among today’s virtuosi.

San Francisco Examiner: “Now, directed by clarinetist David Shifrin, the Lincoln Center Society, which includes some of the more distinguished American musicians of our age, is building an impressive library on Los Angeles based Delos. But these readings of two of Beethoven’s most gracious chamber works (the Septet was one of the composer’s most popular pieces during his lifetime) distill the essence of communal music-making. They’re relaxed and empathetic to a considerable degree. Flutist Ransom Wilson joins violinist Ani Kavafian and violist Paul Neubauer in the airy Serenade, its Mozartian model transmuted in Beethoven’s hands.”

American Record Guide: “The new disc, titled ‘Beethoven in New York,’ is first-class in every respect. The Lincoln Center crew, under the direction of master clarinetist David Shifrin, gives a warm and lilting performance. Solos and ensembles are played without flaw. The recorded sound is outstanding, with a real sense of the positions of players on a stage. Of the three competing sets, the Delos CD has, by a small margin, the best sound.”

Ludwig van Beethoven

Septet for Strings and Winds in E-Flat Major, Op. 20 [39:58]
I. Adagio – Allegro con brio (10:16)
II. Adagio cantabile (9:02)
III. Tempo di Menuetto (3:09)
IV. Tema con Variazioni (7:07)
V. Scherzo (3:05)
VI. Andante con moto alla Marcia – Presto (7:19)

Serenade No. 6 for Flute, Violin and Viola in D Major, Op. 25 [24:04]
I. Entrata. Allegro (3:28)
II. Tempo ordinario d’un Minuetto (5:01)
III. Allegro molto (2:04)
IV. Andante con Variazioni (6:08)
V. Allegro scherzando e vivace (1:57)
VI. Adagio – Allegro vivace disinvolto (5:22)