This is the last major work completed by German composer Ludwig Van Beethoven. Written in October 1826, five months before his death. The fourth movement was called “Der schwer gefaßte Entschluß” (“The Difficult Decision”) by Beethoven, and features a three-note “knock on the door” motif during the dramatic intro.

This version was recorded by The Juilliard Quartet in 1974, and it’s part of the “Beethoven: The Late Quartets” box set released the same year by Columbia Masterworks. At that time, The Juilliard Quartet were Earl Carlyss and Robert Mann on violins, Samuel Rhodes on viola and Claus Adam on violoncello. The LP is an original US pressing from 1974.

(00:00) Video intro

(00:14) a. Allegretto
(06:55) b. Vivace
(10:18) c. Lento Assai, Cantante E Tranquillo
(19:12) d. Der Schwer Gefasste Entschluss: Grave, Ma Non Troppo Tratto “Muß es sein?” (“Must it be?”) – Allegro “Es muß sein!” (“It must be!”)

Numark TTXUSB turntable – Nagaoka MP-500 phono cartridge – ART DJPRE II phono stage preamp – Vinyl record vinilo LP