With works that have been recorded time and time again, the question is always “so what’s different?” The key point of difference for the Eybler Quartet here is a simple one – tempo. Beethoven’s metronome marks have caused controversy for years, with the argument going that his tempos can’t possibly be accurate since they’re incredibly fast. Performances by even the most well-known quartets of yesteryear ignore Beethoven’s markings in favour of a more sedate pace.

Here, the Eybler Quartet play the first three quartets of Beethoven’s Op. 18 set. Well, there really is a substantial difference in the tempo. By contrast to other interpretations, the Eybler Quartet seems like they’re...