BEETHOVEN'S LATE STRING QUARTETS

Beethoven's late string quartets were composed between 1823 and 1826, and include Opus 127, 130-132, and 135. The versions of these string quartets that I prefer include:
1. Tokyo String Quartet (RCA 09026-60975-2);
2. Guarnieri String Quartet (RCA 60458-2-RG);
3. Quartetto Italiano (Philips 426050-2).

Good listening!!

Historic-budget choice The Cleveland Quartet

Contemporary The Emerson String Quartet,if you order on line be careful that you only order the last five;they recorded all of them.

For 15-16 I recommend the Talich Quartet (Calliope CAL 9639), for 12-16 + Grand Fugue the LaSalle Quartet (DG).

I agree with Rushton, the Vegh Quartet is superb. But then the Alban Berg Quartet on EMI is in a class of its own. They are absolute masters of ensemble playing and give especially 15 and 16 an intensity and passion, which is truly out of this world!

As the above recommendations

My Favorite: ABQ
My Wife's favorite: QI

Our Alternative choices: Tokyo and Vegh

Historical: Budapest