Leonard Bernsteins recording of Beethovens String Quartet Op. 131 with the Wiener Philharmoniker stands out for its strong sense of contrast. In the central variation movement, Bernstein adopts a notably slower tempo, creating an intense and focused expressive atmosphere, while the faster movements gain added bite and momentum. The Wiener Philharmoniker strings bring their renowned sound and character to the performance, making this a distinctive and highly engaging interpretation.

For the first time, this recording has been remastered and cut from the original 1-inch 8-track tapes.

Bernstein dedicated this recording to the memory of his wife, Felicia Montealegre Bernstein.