Score and Parts. Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Violoncello. Duration 28 minutes. Edited by Professor Peter Schickele.

Typical of lengthy works by PDQ Bach, “The Moose” Quartet is full of gags, beautiful 18th-century music, zany theatrics, and droll surprises. The work’s subtitle evokes Beethoven’s final work, String Quartet in F Major which tragically asks “Muss es sein?” You’ve got to hear “The Moose” Quartet to believe it, and fortunately you can, thanks to The Armadillo Quartet, a responsive audience, and Telarc Records.