The Rosalyra String Quartet made its New York debut in 1996. They have recorded for various labels, including Boston Records and Artega. Beethoven’s F Major String Quartet, Op.59 No.1 is the first of the three pieces commissioned by Andreas Razumovsky, then the Russian ambassador to Vienna. Compared to the earlier Op.18 quartets, this middle-period work is much longer and demands significantly more technical prowess. Bartok’s Op. 7 No. 1 is a passionate work that was in part inspired by the composer’s love for the violinist Stefi Geyer. With its refined sense of musical vitality, the Rosalyra String Quartet brings both works to life.