Intimate and inspiring communication is of the essence in chamber music. Here Beethoven's characteristically masterly works in the genre are interpreted by musicians who defined their era as star soloists and were also close collaborators and friends: Barenboim, du Pré, Perlman, Zukerman, Harrell and others. Dating from the years around 1970 and from the early 1990s, these recordings do full justice to the spirit and scope of Beethoven's genius.