Beethoven's String Quartets

[hopefullytrusting]

I love the Dover set (I think @Todd also praised it).

[Todd]

I love the Dover set (I think @Todd also praised it).

The Dover exemplify modern day conservatory perfection.  They do not displace, say, the Vegh or the Budapest, but they are in the upper echelon.

[Madiel]

I'd be worried about many contemporary groups (Casals, Artemis, Prazak, Ebene) being too driven, too fast, too "overplayed" since that is the style that is in vogue at the moment. I suspect it would be someone older like Guarneri, Tokyo, or Vegh, which was the GMG top pick for a long time but is sadly out of print. (I remembered finding the Vegh a little bit soft compared to my more hard-driven then-favorite performances.)

Vermeer and Alexander II (Foghorn) put more emphasis on tonal beauty but the players generate a lot of intensity just from having such big sounds.

A quick sample of Guarneri sounds promising (I'd seen their name mentioned a few times already). However, I'm trying to figure out whether they had 2 cycles?

EDIT: Yes, and it's Guarneri II that's sounding kind of promising.

[Madiel]

I love the Dover set (I think @Todd also praised it).

Thanks, this sounds quite promising from sampling a few bits.

[George]

I'd be worried about many contemporary groups (Casals, Artemis, Prazak, Ebene) being too driven, too fast, too "overplayed" since that is the style that is in vogue at the moment. I suspect it would be someone older like Guarneri, Tokyo, or Vegh, which was the GMG top pick for a long time but is sadly out of print. (I remembered finding the Vegh a little bit soft compared to my more hard-driven then-favorite performances.)

Yeah Vegh is not the one to reach for when one wants a young and tough Beethoven. For that I have Julliard, Alban Berg and Endellion. But when I want to dig deep into this music, Vegh is perfect. When I want something in between I have the Italiano set.   

[Todd]

I'd be worried about many contemporary groups (Casals, Artemis, Prazak, Ebene) being too driven, too fast, too "overplayed" since that is the style that is in vogue at the moment. I suspect it would be someone older like Guarneri, Tokyo, or Vegh, which was the GMG top pick for a long time but is sadly out of print. (I remembered finding the Vegh a little bit soft compared to my more hard-driven then-favorite performances.)

Vermeer and Alexander II (Foghorn) put more emphasis on tonal beauty but the players generate a lot of intensity just from having such big sounds.

The Vegh can still be purchased for download at Presto: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7962946--beethoven-string-quartets-nos-1-16-complete-inc-grosse-fuge

I assume it can be streamed via multiple sources.  The mono cycle is everywhere in physical, download, and streaming form.

I remember about twenty years ago when a co-worker who happened to have a degree in music but who had never heard the Vegh stereo set borrowed mine.  Up to that point, she had only heard the Emerson.  After she listened to the Vegh, she said that it was so different, and so much better and more stylistically appropriate to her understanding and taste, that it changed her view of what the music could and should sound like.  It's still probably the best out there, to my taste.

[Que]

I'd be worried about many contemporary groups (Casals, Artemis, Prazak, Ebene) being too driven, too fast, too "overplayed" since that is the style that is in vogue at the moment. [...]

My own sentiment exactly...

[Todd]

My own sentiment exactly...

Perhaps sample The Dover.  It is one of the most recent cycles.

[Jo498]

The Vegh is really very different not only from recent sets but also from 80s/90s sets like ABQ or Emerson, or from Budapest and Juilliard in the 50s/60s. They are unique and fascinating but I wouldn't recommend them as a first set, partly because the sound is not even good for 1970.

I didn't like the one volume (with op.127 & 135) of the Casals that I have enough to get more from them. Too "cold" which seems to include the very sound.

The Artemis was recorded over a decade or so, op.131 and 132 are among the oldest recordings (~2000. I have them on a twofer with 59/3 and 18/2). These don't seem quite as micromanaged to me than some of their later recordings. A bit earlier (1990s), the Petersen recorded all the late quartets (4 separate discs coupled with op.18 except #5)

I love the Hagen in op.130/133 and 131 but their 127 and 132 considerably less (cold, too fast in some parts for my taste (I have some odd preferences in op.127, I like a broad maestoso, not too fast "trio" and a slowish finale coda) and micromanaged).

The Leipzig SQ is usually rather middle of the road, they certainly tend to have a warmer sound than many other youngish ensembles. I have only one of their discs that I mostly got for their uncommonly fast/flowing Dankgesang, the op.127 is less distinctive.

Finally, there is the LaSalle from the mid-70s (late only) on DG that might be harder to find (it was re-issued in DG's Beethoven collection and later by Brilliant, DG failed to make a LaSalle box) but is also quite interesting.
They were of course well known for modern/1940s-70s avantgarde music but also have an "old world heritage" (not mainly a euphemism for being mostly jewish emigrants) and are also often quite different in a way that might appeal.

[Mandryka]

I'd be worried about many contemporary groups (Casals, Artemis, Prazak, Ebene) being too driven, too fast, too "overplayed"

Try Verus

https://classical.music.apple.com/ca/recording/ludwig-van-beethoven-1770-pp90-1691819953

and Narratio

https://classical.music.apple.com/us/recording/ludwig-van-beethoven-1770-pp87-1799164178

[Florestan]

I have the Tokyo Quartet for op.18 (the cycle from the early 90s) and do like their style a lot there.

Tokyo for sure. Among the modern ones, maybe Belcea.

[SonicMan46]

Currently listening to Quatuor Ébène (one of three quartets of these works in my collection) but after reading about the Dover Quartet, both in this thread and in the attached reviews, I decided to add them as a fourth set - at Amazon for $35 USD, minus a third w/ some credit in my account.  Dave

 

[Spotted Horses]

I listened to some excerpts of the Dover set and ultimately decided not to purchase or add them to my listening rotation. Very refined, very good sound, I don't have the impression it will be distinguished from the many cycles I already have. I'm thinking of adding the Narratio Quartet recording to my collection/listening list because a period instrument cycle would be welcome and my brief sampling left me intrigued.

[Madiel]

I'm currently listening to the Guarneri in op.59/1 (2nd cycle) and definitely enjoying it. Not too tense, but also not so mellow that it's lost an edge.

I will keep going with this set.

[Spotted Horses]

I'm currently listening to the Guarneri in op.59/1 (2nd cycle) and definitely enjoying it. Not too tense, but also not so mellow that it's lost an edge.

I will keep going with this set.

Guarneri Philips or RCA?

I listened to their Philips cycle years ago and found it satisfying.  My favorites (I think) are the Vermeer Quartet (old world warmth in modern sound) The Quartetto Italiano and the Endellion (a bit rough and ready).

[Madiel]

Guarneri Philips or RCA?

I listened to their Philips cycle years ago and found it satisfying.  My favorites (I think) are the Vermeer Quartet (old world warmth in modern sound) The Quartetto Italiano and the Endellion (a bit rough and ready).

2nd cycle = the Philips one.

[Holden]

This thread prompted me to play Op 59/1 of the Vegh set that I own. Love it.