What are you listening to now?

[Brian]

I've listened to some others since, but I still think very well of the Emersons here.

I'm not looking for the best, necessarily; just the easiest entry point for a wimp like me.

[Brahmsian]

I'm not looking for the best, necessarily; just the easiest entry point for a wimp like me.

Takacs, I find a very approachable.  Try the # 4 of this ensemble. 

FYI, I am also a big fan of the Emersons in Bartok SQs.

[Karl Henning]

Well, I don't consider you any wimp, Brian . . . nonetheless, not sure what to suggest! 

[Mandryka]

What is the "easiest," most approachable, charismatic Bartok SQ set? I was sent a Bartok SQ set to review, against my will, and am worried because I really don't understand them at all.

Which set were you sent?

I don't think you can just give yourself a crash course in the Bartok quartets, any more than you could late Beethoven.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Feldman
Crippled Symmetry
The California EAR Unit
[asin]B00000K38E[/asin]

Please no...not the California EAR Unit!@#% ... are they specialists?...and covered under my insurance, d'ya know?

[Karl Henning]

(* chortle *)

[jlaurson]

What is the "easiest," most approachable, charismatic Bartok SQ set? I was sent a Bartok SQ set to review, against my will, and am worried because I really don't understand them at all.



I listened to the ASQ string quintets CD twice this weekend, once Saturday and once Sunday. Love seems an apt word!

Takacs II, in my book. Though there is no such thing as "easy" Bartok SQ4ts...

[Brahmsian]

Takacs II, in my book. Though there is no such thing as "easy" Bartok SQ4ts...

Didn't know there was more than one set, but the number II, yes, was the one I was thinking for Brian.

[Sergeant Rock]

Well I'm not surprised, it's a particularly uncharismatic performance you've picked there.

But Bartok lovers here on the forum recommended it! Someone mentioned how well the quartet brought out the folk elements. Obviously there is a difference of opinion on the Hungarian's worth...surprise 

I also have the Julliard and Emerson sets but they haven't been any more successful in making me see the Bartokian light. I really doubt the problem is one of performance. The problem, for me, is the music.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Great credit to you for repeatedly given 'em a try, Sarge!

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

FYI, I am also a big fan of the Emersons in Bartok SQs.

+1

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to 3 Mélodies. Absolutely enchanting.

[Brian]

Which set were you sent?

I don't think you can just give yourself a crash course in the Bartok quartets, any more than you could late Beethoven.

The Alexander SQ sent me pretty much their whole catalog.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

What is the "easiest," most approachable, charismatic Bartok SQ set? I was sent a Bartok SQ set to review, against my will, and am worried because I really don't understand them at all.

Mara Parker's String Quartets: a Research and Info. Guide (Routledge, 2005) has an extensive bibliography of analytical works, specialist and non-  on the Bartok SQs.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Nice!

I just picked by pure coincidence something similar - same period, also on period instruments:

[asin]B0085U0GY2[/asin]
Disc 1: Ferdinand Ries & Franz Limmer

Q

That set looks like an appealing anthology - I really liked Brilliant.  Karl Haas made something of a Hummel fan of me.

[Mandryka]

The Alexander SQ sent me pretty much their whole catalog.

I'd say then, that one thing you could do is listen to their first recording of Bartok's 6th quartet, it's on a recording with some Ravel I think, and compare it with the one in the complete set. That will give you a way in to some of the things at stake.

[Mandryka]

But Bartok lovers here on the forum recommended it! Someone mentioned how well the quartet brought out the folk elements. Obviously there is a difference of opinion on the Hungarian worth...surprise 

I also have the Julliard and Emerson sets but they haven't been any more successful in making me see the Bartokian light. I really doubt the problem is one of performance. The problem, for me, is the music.

Sarge

None of those would suit me in the 5th, Enmerson, Hungarian (DG), Juilliard (either of the first two.) In the 5th I like Tatrai and I like Zehetmair, both less tough than what you have,  and I've been impressed by Ramor, but I don't know that latter one as well. But yes, it may be the music for you.

I should say I've enjoyed other recordings by the Hungarian quartet of the 5th more -- different lineups, different occasions. And my own taste is for less driven performances, with more contrasts of feeling, more nuances, and that may be something not so widely shared.

[North Star]

Zehetmairs & Arcanto are superb in the Bartók SQ's they've recorded.

Please no...not the California EAR Unit!@#% ... are they specialists?...and covered under my insurance, d'ya know?

(* chortle *)

+1 



Thread duty
https://www.youtube.com/v/EuQOk9gXw14

[Mirror Image]

Thread duty
https://www.youtube.com/v/EuQOk9gXw14

Pounds the table! It's time to get your Koechlin groove on, Karlo.

[Papy Oli]

Good evening all 

An old favourite but not picked up for a long while.

Chopin by Michelangeli.