Epic new recording by the Alexander String Quartet

Posted Fri, 10/16/2009 - 3:15pm by Matt Itelson

The Alexander String Quartet, SF State’s quartet-in-residence, is not only distinguished through teaching and live performances. Its discography has recently expanded, with a boxed set of the complete string quartets by Ludwig van Beethoven.

Featuring each of Beethoven’s 16 quartets spread across nine discs, the boxed set was recorded in three sessions over 19 days. The Alexander String Quartet—comprised of violinists Zakarias Grafilo and Frederick Lifsitz, violist Paul Yarbrough and cellist Sandy Wilson—used the Ellen M. Egger quartet of loaned instruments, constructed by Francis Kuttner of San Francisco about 20 years ago.

“This set is one of the very finest available....unquestionably one of my ‘Records of the Year’ for 2009,” writes Michael Cookson for MusicWeb.

The set is available online under the Foghorn Classics label.

Celebrating 20 years on the SF State School of Music and Dance faculty, the Alexander String Quartet will perform a free Morrison Artists Series concert on Dec. 13 at 3 pm, in McKenna Theatre.