Formed in Israel almost three decades ago and now based in the United States, the Ariel quartet has built a reputation for tackling challenging repertoire with bold interpretations and deep musical insight. This suitably ambitious new project, timed to coincide with the quartet's 30th anniversary in 2028, highlights their dedication to Beethoven's transformative works, tracing his journey from the classical brilliance of the early quartets to the spiritual profundity of his later ones. 5060189563784 ORCC100378.2 44930509 .00 16.99 .48 ORCHID CLASSICS COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 04/04/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/42/4402542-3325931.jpg 0 SCHMIDT / ULLMANN ELISABETH ULLMANN LIVE AT THE WALCKER ORGAN (1878) The instrument was made by Eberhard Friedrich Walcker & Co. From Ludwigsburg in Wurttemberg and was completed in 1878 as Op. 306; the organ was accepted in the presence of Anton Bruckner. Franz Schmidt had already composed several large-scale organ works in the early 1920s, which were followed by smaller works such as Vier kleine Praludien und Fugen". The Prelude No. 3 in G major develops in a calm, cheerful march movement, the trio with solo cantilena is followed by the first part da capo. The three-part fugue with obbligato pedal is reminiscent of Johann Sebastian Bach's technically demanding "Sonatas for two pianos and pedal" BWV 525-530. Variations and Fugue on an Original Theme (Royal Fanfares from Fredigundis) is Franz Schmidt's first solo organ work. The cycle Vier kleine Choralvorspiele on melodies of common Lutheran Sacred Songs was published in 1926. Prelude and Fugue in A major was written in 1934 as the penultimate of his works for solo organ.