Alban Berg Quartett Essentials

Though they named themselves after a composer from the 20th century's “Second Viennese School,” this chamber group also specialized in works from the original Austrian crew—including Beethoven and Mozart. As exquisite with the modernist (but still romantic) yearning of Berg's Lyric Suite as they were with the piercing drama of Schubert's “Death and the Maiden” quartet, these agile players were thrilling in any music they touched. While fans tend to have firm preferences for one century's music over the other, partisans of all stripes can depend on this group for crisp, moving performances.