A coupling of Op 127, the most approachable of Beethoven’s late quartets, with Op 131, the most strikingly radical, could not be more attractive, particularly in performances like these, which in every way are exceptional. The Brentano Quartet was founded in 1992 by four American players and it is not a backhanded compliment to say that they do not sound like an American quartet, with no hint of the sort of thrusting super-efficiency that marks some of the very finest American groups.

What is so satisfying about these performances recorded at Princeton University is the overall warmth of the playing, with speeds ideally chosen and never forced, with natural rubato and shading, and with wonderfully sustained pianissimos, as in the slow fugue which opens Op 131, leading to a perfectly judged climax. The second-movement Allegro is then light and clear before the brief recitative-like movement which leads into the great set of variations on the Andante main theme, marking the very heart of this visionary work.

The high contrasts in that long movement are perfectly controlled, with the quirky comments in the penultimate variation deliciously pointed, with the right hint of humour. This is music, as has been said, that sounds as if it has only just emerged into human hearing, and that is what the Brentanos make you feel. The Scherzo of the following movement is then lightly pointed, with perfect clarity of detail and resonant pizzicatos. The brief Adagio which leads into the finale makes up for brevity in its intensity, before the dashing finale brings crisply pointed dotted rhythms and a finely judged close.

The comparable account of Op 127 also centres around the long set of slow variations of the second movement, soothing in its sweetness yet full of mystery. This again is ethereal music, before the cheekily jaunty Scherzo with its nonchalant throwaway close, leading to the finale with big contrasts naturally brought out. This is a disc that makes one want to hear the Brentanos in the other late Beethoven quartets. Anyone who fancies this generous coupling need not hesitate.