a late quartet

JWN Sullivan, in his 1927 book Beethoven: His Spiritual Development, said the last quartets express a "higher degree of consciousness, probably, than is manifested anywhere else in art."

I agree.

And the Takács is one of my favorite ensembles. Their large sound, beautiful timbres, and natural artistry stand out for me. I was floored many years ago when I heard them on the radio, performing Haydn's Op. 76 Quartet No. 1. I'll never forget it.