Beethoven's String Quartets

[mszczuj]

When a dissonant note appears you have the choice.   Play it gently, make it seem like a coloration of the consonant note,  emphasize its resolution rather than the dissonance itself, or play it with emphasis to make the dissonance stand out.  Making the latter choice emphasizes the edginess of the music without departing from the score. 

But it is Beethoven, it is predominantely linear. If you think of dissonances as its subsatnce you miss where it goes. When you play Grosse Fuge as the vehicle for dramatic dissonances you have no chance to find that it should (or at least could) be played as great cosmic dance crowning the most beautiful serenade.

[George]

Guys, by gritty I meant if you close your eyes and imagine the performers, they aren't wearing pressed tuxedos, but rather AC/DC T-shirts and dirty old jeans. 

[Mandryka]

Guys, by gritty I meant if you close your eyes and imagine the performers, they aren't wearing pressed tuxedos, but rather AC/DC T-shirts and dirty old jeans.

And that's how you hear the Endellion? Or did you get that one for other reasons?

[DavidW]

Guys, by gritty I meant if you close your eyes and imagine the performers, they aren't wearing pressed tuxedos, but rather AC/DC T-shirts and dirty old jeans.

There are many ensembles that don't wear tux's to concerts, but they don't dress like a garage band either.  There are ways to dress smartly without looking like you came from the 19th century.

It doesn't sound like you want gritty, rather you want the spontaneity and drive that you would get from people informally getting together to have a jam session like you find in rock or jazz.

[George]

And that's how you hear the Endellion?

Pretty much, yes.

[Mandryka]

Pretty much, yes.

Suggest a track for me to hear, one where this gritty quality is evident.

[Mandryka]

But it is Beethoven, it is predominantely linear. If you think of dissonances as its subsatnce you miss where it goes. When you play Grosse Fuge as the vehicle for dramatic dissonances you have no chance to find that it should (or at least could) be played as great cosmic dance crowning the most beautiful serenade.

This is an interesting reply. Which performances do you feel succeed at integrating  133 with 130 as you describe?

[George]

Suggest a track for me to hear, one where this gritty quality is evident.

Take your pick, I heard it on any of the tracks I listened to.

[Wakefield]

Guys, by gritty I meant if you close your eyes and imagine the performers, they aren't wearing pressed tuxedos, but rather AC/DC T-shirts and dirty old jeans.

It's approximately what I think when I'm listening to the Alexander String Quartet playing the middle quartets from its complete cycle on Arte Nova.

Well, if I'm totally honest, the image is this: There is a string quartet competition in New York City (I don't know why exactly in New York). The favorite group is the Julliard String Quartet which is not really the Julliard Quartet, but the Leipziger Streichquartett, an ensemble totally perfect in a traditional, conservative way. But suddenly appears this group from nowhere, The Bronx, for instance; totally revolutionary and youthful. And they are the Alexander Quartet ... You know, something like a Karate Kid tournament. 

[Opus106]

It's approximately what I think when I'm listening to the Alexander String Quartet playing the middle quartets from its complete cycle on Arte Nova.

Well, if I'm totally honest, the image is this: There is a string quartet competition in New York City (I don't know why exactly in New York). The favorite group is the Julliard String Quartet which is not really the Julliard Quartet, but the Leipziger Streichquartett, an ensemble totally perfect in a traditional, conservative way. But suddenly appears this group from nowhere, The Bronx, for instance; totally revolutionary and youthful. And they are the Alexander Quartet ... You know, something like a Karate Kid tournament. 

Perhaps you were planning to post all that at the other thread?

[Wakefield]

Perhaps you were planning to post all that at the other thread?

No doubt, it would be an appropriate place. 

[George]

LOL, you guys!

[Wakefield]

LOL, you guys!

Do you know the Alexander String Quartet, George? If not, maybe you should give a try to its first set. 

[Karl Henning]

Annie, you behave!

[George]

Do you know the Alexander String Quartet, George? If not, maybe you should give a try to its first set. 

I have a CD of theirs that has two of the Late Quartets on the Arte Nova label.

[Karl Henning]

I still don't get it.

Well, truth to tell, I don't, much, either.

[Peregrine]

I still don't get it.

Oh well.

[kishnevi]

Do you know the Alexander String Quartet, George? If not, maybe you should give a try to its first set. 

Playing that set even as I post,  I'd say "gritty" is a useful way to describe their performances.  At the moment, I've got Op. 95 on, to be followed by Op. 127, so I'm at the point bridging the Middle and the Late Quartets. 

[springrite]

From now on, if I ask for a recommendation of the most fantastic recording of a quartet please while recommending keep in mind that, by fantastic I meant, if you close your eyes the performers appear muscular, toned and naked

Without the first two (muscular and toned), make sure they are not only fully clothed but in TUX!

[DavidW]

From now on, if I ask for a recommendation of the most fantastic recording of a quartet please while recommending keep in mind that, by fantastic I meant, if you close your eyes the performers appear muscular, toned and naked

Post of the day imo.