Mahler rip-off?

[MDL]

I am about to display my ignorance on a massive scale to the whole world, but WTF. Something is really bothering me.

So, there I was, pottering about in the classical department of Zavvi (ex-Virgin) in London, passing away my lunch break, when suddenly I heard what appeared to be a chamber version of the opening of the sixth movement of Mahler's 3rd Symphony. It was beautiful, although it soon drifted away from Mahler. I slouched over to the counter to see what CD was sitting in the what-we're-playing-now rack and saw a CD box set of the late string quartets by some little-known guy called Beethoven.

O fellow GMGers, forgive me! I have never sat down and listened to Beethoven's string quartets! Argh! Before shooting myself as penance for a life spent listening to Mahler, Stockhausen and Schoenberg, does anybody know which Beethoven quartet I might have been listening to? It was rather lovely and it would be an ideal entry point to a somewhat, er, important part of the repertoire that I've neglected. Cheers.

[Novi]

I am about to display my ignorance on a massive scale to the whole world, but WTF. Something is really bothering me.

So, there I was, pottering about in the classical department of Zavvi (ex-Virgin) in London, passing away my lunch break, when suddenly I heard what appeared to be a chamber version of the opening of the sixth movement of Mahler's 3rd Symphony. It was beautiful, although it soon drifted away from Mahler. I slouched over to the counter to see what CD was sitting in the what-we're-playing-now rack and saw a CD box set of the late string quartets by some little-known guy called Beethoven.

O fellow GMGers, forgive me! I have never sat down and listened to Beethoven's string quartets! Argh! Before shooting myself as penance for a life spent listening to Mahler, Stockhausen and Schoenberg, does anybody know which Beethoven quartet I might have been listening to? It was rather lovely and it would be an ideal entry point to a somewhat, er, important part of the repertoire that I've neglected. Cheers.

Maybe opp. 130 or 131?

Sorry, not much help .

These are good sets though, or perhaps you could just pick up the late quartets if that's where you want to start:

 

[Keemun]

I'm not familiar with many of Beethoven's String Quartets, but perhaps this is what you heard?

Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15, Op. 132 - III. Holy Songs.
[mp3=200,20,0,center]http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/6/4/1945216/2-03%20String%20Quartet%20No.%2015%2C%20Op.132_.mp3[/mp3]

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Before shooting myself as penance for a life spent listening to Mahler, Stockhausen and Schoenberg, does anybody know which Beethoven quartet I might have been listening to?

It's gotta be the slow movement of Op. 135 (LvB's 16th and last quartet). When I first heard it, I thought, "Hey, Mahler ripped this off for his 3rd Symphony!"

It's also my favorite of the Beethoven late quartets.

[Sergeant Rock]

It's gotta be the slow movement of Op. 135 (LvB's 16th and last quartet).

Agree...MDL must have heard the the Lento third movement from Op.135


Sarge

[MDL]

It's gotta be the slow movement of Op. 135 (LvB's 16th and last quartet). When I first heard it, I thought, "Hey, Mahler ripped this off for his 3rd Symphony!"

It's also my favorite of the Beethoven late quartets.

It was shockingly similar to the opening the last movement of Mahler's Third. Thanks for naming that tune.

[MDL]

Agree...MDL must have heard the the Lento third movement from Op.135


Sarge

Thanks very much for the help.