Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 18 nos. 1-3

Opus 18 needs little introduction as Beethoven's supremely confident first step in total mastery of the Classical String Quartet. From the opening bars of Quartet No. 1 which bristle with curiosity and possibility to the wit and humour of Quartet No. 2 and the supressed energy and teasing harmonic uncertainty of Quartet No. 3, Opus 18 represents Beethoven's only quartet contribution during his 'first period' and provides the listener with a tantalising glimpse of the extraordinary music that was to follow.

The Eybler Quartet came together in 2004 to explore the works of the first century-and-a-half of the string quartet and plays on instruments appropriate to the period of the music it performs. The Toronto-based ensemble's live performances have consistently garnered praise as "glowing and committed", "spirited" and "lively and energizing". The Eybler Quartet harnesses a unique combination of talents and skills: razor-sharp ensemble skills, technical prowess, expertise in period instrument performance and an unquenchable passion for the repertoire. The group's three other recordings feature world premieres of Eybler's Opus 1, world premieres of Backofen quintets coupled with Mozart's clarinet quintet featuring Jane Booth, Haydn's six quartets Opus 33, complete on 2 CDs and the world premiere of Johann Baptist Vanhal's Opus 6 on period instruments.