Beethoven's String Quartets

[jlaurson]

... yes, but the choice of the instruments is not a minor part of the new recording. The Ellen M. Egger quartet of instruments is just gorgeous and the sound quality of the new cycle is unbeatable. 

There you have it: Mediocre OK performances in superb sound. You can hear every last detail of their lack of inspiration. 

Seriously, the whole thing is part of the marketing strategy for a very, very capable instrument builder... and op.18 do him and the quartet very proud, but to suggest that most other quartets don't have instruments every bit the equal of the Alexander's (Tokio using the "Paganini" Stradivarius set; Emerson having a choice between Zygmuntowicz' instruments and old Italians...) is misleading. And to suggest the sound of an instrument makes a Beethoven String Quartet cycle worth being considered above others, possibly better played ones, is also questionable for all but the most obsessed (14-cycles-is-not-enough) collectors. For those interested, they should just get the first volume and invest the rest in something else, methinks.

[SonicMan46]

... yes, but the choice of the instruments is not a minor part of the new recording. The Ellen M. Egger quartet of instruments is just gorgeous and the sound quality of the new cycle is unbeatable. 

Well Jens, appears that Antoine and I like this 'new' performance by the Alexander SQ; and of course there are other critics on the block - for the one quoted HERE, this recording is thought of as a 2009 'Record of the Year' w/ the opinion for the Takacs to take a second seat - now I'm not dumping my long time favs, but others certainly feel that these new offerings are special; even 6/6 5* on Amazon (not the best judges but consistency is rare at that site) - I'll not be replacing the Alexanders any time soon - Dave 

[jlaurson]

Well Jens, appears that Antoine and I like this 'new' performance by the Alexander SQ; and of course there are other critics on the block - for the one quoted HERE...

To put it very kindly and gingerly: Not all reviews are equal. But if you love the cycle, I'm not in any way bent on lessening your enjoyment of it.

When 'jumping for joy' in honour of a known work, or holding it up to execration, you may be writing in accordance with the prevailing view or against it. Now suppose that you are urging your readers to amend the unfavourable opinion they entertain of works which you think highly of: you are promising them something positive, an addition to the range of their enjoyment. They may wonder at finding works which leave them cold described as thrilling and lovable, yet eventually be swayed by the inducement held out.

On the contrary, if you are trying to make people see that their taste and faith is at fault, the position is that you are holding out no direct, positive inducement: ostensibly, you are proposing, not to add to their stock of artistic pleasure, but to detract from it. The task is as graceless as that of taking a bone from a dog. [...] Wordsworth is reported to have alleged that 'a stupid invention, in prose or verse, is quite harmless'. Knowing how much smaller the average man's capacity for and chances of assimilating music are than with literature and the other arts, how very much less varied his musical experiences are than any others, one could hardly say the same with reference to the stupid inventions in music with which the world is overrun. Judicious criticism, therefore, has a great and much needed part to play with regard to the extirpation of bad music.
(M.D.Calvocoressi, "Musical Criticism," 1931)

[Scarpia]

I had the Alexander in my shopping cart when I found out that the set is essentially an extended advertisement for a violin manufacturer.   I also saw those Amazon reviews (openly exhorting us to BUY the set RIGHT NOW)  which really put me off.  Either they were written by the first violinist's mommy, were planted my the record company, or this quartet particularly appeals to simpletons.   

[DavidRoss]

You are talking about the Alexander's First cycle; Sonicman and I about their Second... but good to hear (or not) that little has changed, since... except the instruments...

And the first violinist.  Ge-Fang Yang left several years ago and Zack Grafilo took his place.  Also they have matured a bit, like a fine wine.  Their playing is warm, affectionate, graceful, unpretentious.  They're as comfortable with the music as if they were old friends conversing after dinner.  There's no sense of shouting," Hey, listen up...this is important music, goddammit!" or "Hey, listen up...we're virtuosi and special, bet you never heard it like this before!"

I had the Alexander in my shopping cart when I found out that the set is essentially an extended advertisement for a violin manufacturer.   I also saw those Amazon reviews (openly exhorting us to BUY the set RIGHT NOW)  which really put me off.  Either they were written by the first violinist's mommy, were planted my the record company, or this quartet particularly appeals to simpletons.   

Well, I'm happy to be a simpleton.  It was a long, tough battle to escape the clutches of intellectualism which shackles us with sweet deceits, whispering, "You're smarter, therefore you see more and you're better than most!"

I'm terribly prejudiced in favor of the Alexander Qt.  They're the home team and over the years I've heard them play the entire LvB cycle plus plenty of Shosty and Wolfie and some new music as well.  They're one of the Bay Area's many musical treasures--and if you ever get a chance to hear them, I hope your prejudices against quartets that aren't household names with Universal or Sony recording contracts doesn't prevent you from enjoying the opportunity.  Lengthy excerpts from several of their recordings are available on their site, here: http://www.asq4.com/audio.htm

And the cycle on Foghorn is one of the best purchases I made in 2010, vying with Jacobs's Zauberflöte and the Quatuor Mosaïques' Haydn Qts for my favorite acquisitions of the year.

[Scarpia]

Well, I'm happy to be a simpleton.  It was a long, tough battle to escape the clutches of intellectualism which shackles us with sweet deceits, whispering, "You're smarter, therefore you see more and you're better than most!"

I didn't mean to imply that one must be a simpleton to like the recordings.  Only that the reviews I saw on amazon had a certain "foaming at the mouth" quality that turned me off.   I'm still tempted to get the set, but at this point I find myself with so many recordings of this music that getting another would truly be an act of insanity.

[Brian]

I've only got one, the Endellions. Going to at least try to listen to every quartet once before buying a second set - I'm going through them in order and am currently on Op 74.

[Gurn Blanston]

I've only got one, the Endellions. Going to at least try to listen to every quartet once before buying a second set - I'm going through them in order and am currently on Op 74.

Damn, I can't remember how I reacted to my first listening to the Op 59's. But I'm curious what you thought, Brian. Unlike most people here, apparently, I don't give a shit about whose playing, only the music itself. What did it say to you? BTW, I am very partial to Op 59, which is why I ask.  0:)

[Brahmsian]

I've only got one, the Endellions. Going to at least try to listen to every quartet once before buying a second set - I'm going through them in order and am currently on Op 74.

Opus 74 is my favorite quartet of 1 through 11, Brian! 

[Brian]

Damn, I can't remember how I reacted to my first listening to the Op 59's. But I'm curious what you thought, Brian. Unlike most people here, apparently, I don't give a shit about whose playing, only the music itself. What did it say to you? BTW, I am very partial to Op 59, which is why I ask.  0:)

Op 59 No 1 I first heard live, actually, and it was love at first listen! I just finished playing it again actually.  I have spent more than half of this year "stuck" on Op 59 No 1 because it holds such beauty, such joy. Plus, here in London I've had the good fortune to see both the Endellions and the stupendous Pavel Haas Quartet play it live. Nos 2 and 3 I've gotten to more recently and they are definitely going to be favorites too... together the three quartets really have everything one needs, don't they?

As a side note, I recently heard Dvorak's Quartet No 1 for the first time (Stamitz Qt) and it sounds EXACTLY like a hypothetical Op 59 No 4. The finale meanders a little, but the first three movements make it absolutely clear what the young Antonin's favorite music was 

[Brahmsian]

BTW, I am very partial to Op 59, which is why I ask.  0:)

Well Gurn, I'm not Brian, but I want to chime in on your question!   

When I first started listening to Beethoven's quartets (actually, my first listen to string quartet music), the Opus 59 quartets had a definite immediate appeal to me.  Actually, it was the somewhat 'problematic' or 'quirky' Op.59/2 that first appealed to me, and along with Op.18/1, the first two quartets that I listened to the most when acclimatizing to Beethoven and the string quartet world. 

Since then, all three have had a rotation in my favorites of the '59's'.  Op.59/3 is currently my favorite and has probably been my favorite the longest.   

[karlhenning]

Aye, the Opus 59 quartets fixed me but good with their glittering eye the first ever I heard them! Rock on, lads!

[Scarpia]

Damn, I can't remember how I reacted to my first listening to the Op 59's. But I'm curious what you thought, Brian. Unlike most people here, apparently, I don't give a shit about whose playing, only the music itself. What did it say to you? BTW, I am very partial to Op 59, which is why I ask.  0:)

For the longest time my only Beethoven quartet recordings were the Italiano Late Quartets so I was only exposed to Op 59 rather late.  I must say I enjoy them more than I expected to.  They lack that "damn it, I'm writing what I want whether you like it or not" quality of the late quartets, but there is a direct expressiveness that has something in common with the middle symphonies (5-7).  The Philips (now on Brilliant) Guarneri recordings are superb.

[DavidRoss]

For the longest time my only Beethoven quartet recordings were the Italiano Late Quartets so I was only exposed to Op 59 rather late.  I must say I enjoy them more than I expected to.  They lack that "damn it, I'm writing what I want whether you like it or not" quality of the late quartets, but there is a direct expressiveness that has something in common with the middle symphonies (5-7).  The Philips (now on Brilliant) Guarneri recordings are superb.

Yes, love the Guarneri.  My first exposure was the late qts recorded by the Juilliard SQ.  Soon after I heard opus 59, played live by the Guarneri almost 40 years ago, so I'm a bit partial to them as well.  The Italians don't cut it for me with the late qts.  To me they sound sentimental--or did, though come to think of it I've not played their recordings in years.  Maybe it's time for another spin...?

I love this music from op 59 on.  If I had to pick one fave, op 95 might be it.  If I had to pick one favorite cycle, I don't think I could do it.  This is one of those bodies of work that is so great that I want and enjoy a variety of approaches.  Faves include Takacs, Vegh, Emersons, Hagen, and Alexander.  Must give the Berg a listen--that's been years, too!

[Sergeant Rock]

I've had a weird ride through the quartets. It was the late quartets that grabbed me immediately, then a few years later Op.18 (Tokyo rules) and then...well, I still haven't fallen in love with the Razumovskys. Like I said, weird.

Sarge

[Brahmsian]

I've had a weird ride through the quartets. It was the late quartets that grabbed me immediately, then a few years later Op.18 (Tokyo rule) and then...well, I still haven't fallen in love with the Ravumovskys. Like I said, weird.

Sarge

That is a little weird, Sarge.  Most people love/hate the early or late quartets, or love or hate altogether all of LVB's quartets.  However, most people who like some of the quartets (more often than not), seem to enjoy the Op.59.  They are probably the most universally enjoyed of LVB's quartets.  There are always exceptions! 

[Scarpia]

I love this music from op 59 on.  If I had to pick one fave, op 95 might be it.  If I had to pick one favorite cycle, I don't think I could do it.  This is one of those bodies of work that is so great that I want and enjoy a variety of approaches.  Faves include Takacs, Vegh, Emersons, Hagen, and Alexander.  Must give the Berg a listen--that's been years, too!

Heard my favorite set, the Vermeer Quartet?

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//2564613992.htm

They've reached super-bargain status.  I hate to think what I paid for them back in the day.  Probably paid more for a single disc than I would have to pay for the cycle. 

[Brian]

Heard my favorite set, the Vermeer Quartet?

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//2564613992.htm

They've reached super-bargain status.  I hate to think what I paid for them back in the day.  Probably paid more for a single disc than I would have to pay for the cycle.

1. That's so absurdly cheap I'd be a fool not to get it.
2. The samples do sound REALLY good. They sound like really polished, intelligent, sensitive performers.
3. Hey Sarge, their slow movement of Op 59 No 1 is 14:54 - three minutes slower than my Endellion or mono Budapest SQ
4. Oh gosh, is it true they come in three fatboy plastic cases? Maybe I'll pay the four quid extra use my Amazon gift card to download instead.

[Scarpia]

1. That's so absurdly cheap I'd be a fool not to get it.
2. The samples do sound REALLY good. They sound like really polished, intelligent, sensitive performers.
3. Hey Sarge, their slow movement of Op 59 No 1 is 14:54 - three minutes slower than my Endellion or mono Budapest SQ
4. Oh gosh, is it true they come in three fatboy plastic cases? Maybe I'll pay the four quid extra to download instead.

I have the full price version from years ago, which is three wide jewel cases in a slipcase.  I'm sure the new superbargain version is in compact packaging.

I'd describe them just as you do.  They have a warm, burnished sound, without laying it on too thick, expressive while maintaining a certain classical purity.  Audio is superb, in my  opinion (honest, Teldec engineering). 

I also have the Endellion, based on the same "I'd be crazy not to" reasoning you have mentioned.  Have not listened to them  Am currently making my way through the Guarneri (Philips).

[DavidRoss]

Heard my favorite set, the Vermeer Quartet?

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//2564613992.htm

They've reached super-bargain status.  I hate to think what I paid for them back in the day.  Probably paid more for a single disc than I would have to pay for the cycle.

I've never heard them but recall them being highly regarded by some and having bid on their cycle in the past back when Ebay was a good source for CDs.

Just placed my order with MDT ~$25 with shipping to the States.