Mozart String Quintets (complete or mostly complete)

[amw]

"Mostly complete" refers to recordings that only include K515, 516, 593 and 614.

Do the voting thing y'all

[The One]

Grumiaux Trio, Arpad Gérecz & Max Lesueur on Philips

[The new erato]

I only know the Grumiaux, Talich and Amadeus,all three favorites in various ways.

[Todd]

For complete, I've limited myself to the Grumiaux set and the Budapest/Katims.  I marginally prefer the Budapest.  I may need a modern set.  That Capuçon, Ibragimova, Caussé, Henino & Hagen looks like it could work.

[Brian]

I have the Orlando on BIS for weird sentimental associations - back when I was 13-16 I played a strategy computer game which licensed its soundtrack from BIS and included 3-4 tracks from the Orlando set. I'm biased towards Hans Fagius' Bach for the same "it's what I heard while gaming as a kid" reasons. The classic, badass BIS album "La Spagna" (with Atrium Musicae de Madrid) was also a regular in the game, as was a piano + string quintet reduction of Beethoven's Second Concerto. Gosh, I had such posh taste as a kid.

[Jo498]

I have three complete ones: Melos+Beyer/Farulli (DG), Smetana/Suk (Denon) and Talich/Rehak (Calliope). Two more reasonably complete ones, Griller/Primrose (sans K 174) and Hausmusik (sans K 174 and 406). Then a few more single discs or recitals: 515/516 w/ Archibudelli, 406/516 w/ Tatrai, dito with Budapest/Katims in the Diapason box, the Amadeus K 593 in that same box, one or two with Heifetz etc., one or two in the Heimbach box. Not sure if I dislike any of them. A friend of mine found the Melos too massive and not Mozartean and chamber-like enough but I tend to like them whenever I re-listen to them.

I voted Other = Smetana/Suk which is a fairly relaxed, warm and beautiful interpretation, Hausmusik because it's my only semi-complete HIP (and I do not recall a large difference in 516/515 to Archibudelli) and Griller because of its infectious energy.

[Baron Scarpia]

I voted for Grumiaux and Smetana (Other) although I don't have the complete Smetana/Denon set. Recently tried listening to Villa Musica (MDG) but had to abandon it and return to Grumiaux because I was so dissatisfied. They get it just right.

[springrite]

I am partial to the Smetana.

But since I do not really have the complete set of Smetana (not sure if they recorded the complete set, probably not), my next choice would be Grumiaux.

[Jo498]

As I wrote, the Smetana recorded a complete set with Josef Suk on the additional viola. Three Denon discs: 515/16, 174/593, 406/614, rec. 1976-83, reissued for budget or midprice in a "Crest 1000" series. I cannot give more info because the booklets are all in Japanese. Maybe there was also a Supraphon or an international issue.

[Mandryka]

Leipzig Qt/Helmut Rode, I can let you have it, it's from concerts in Amsterdam in 2006

Orlando/Imai also worth checking out, as is the live Juilliard with Trampler, despite the sound.

[Gurn Blanston]

On modern instruments, the Grumiaux is satisfactory in every way. Followed (for me) by the Talich and Grillers. On PI, hard to name a 'complete' set, I have the Salomons and the Kuijkens, both are very nice, but if I had the Hausmusik to compare it to (for £168!!) I could very well prefer it since I am quite fond of their playing.

[The One]

On modern instruments, the Grumiaux is satisfactory in every way. Followed (for me) by the Talich and Grillers. On PI, hard to name a 'complete' set, I have the Salomons and the Kuijkens, both are very nice, but if I had the Hausmusik to compare it to (for £168!!) I could very well prefer it since I am quite fond of their playing.

Yes, Hausmusik is the choice in PI. Maybe these games should be set as your MI choice and PI choice seperately

[Gurn Blanston]

Yes, Hausmusik is the choice in PI. Maybe these games should be set as your MI choice and PI choice seperately

It would certainly be more to the point.

[Sergeant Rock]

I can a add nothing. I've only Grumiaux and have never heard a reason to acquire more. They seem perfection.

Sarge

[amw]

Leipzig Qt/Helmut Rode, I can let you have it, it's from concerts in Amsterdam in 2006

I know it yes, but I was limiting this to commercial releases.

I didn't separate modern and period instrument performances here because there are very few of the latter (only one complete set, two partial sets and two single discs of K515/516)

[The One]

I didn't separate modern and period instrument performances here because there are very few of the latter (only one complete set, two partial sets and two single discs of K515/516)

Of course. We were chatting about "in general".

[Gurn Blanston]

I know it yes, but I was limiting this to commercial releases.

I didn't separate modern and period instrument performances here because there are very few of the latter (only one complete set, two partial sets and two single discs of K515/516)

Of course. We were chatting about "in general".

Clearly there isn't enough. I also have Quintet #1 (in Bb) K 174 by the Smithson Quartet +, which is the only version on PI AFAIK. I would love to have #2 K 516b, but alas, if there IS a recording I have never seen it.

Some of the single disks are especially fine, such as L'Archibudelli's K 515 & 516. Wish they had done more, but there you go.

[Baron Scarpia]

Some of the single disks are especially fine, such as L'Archibudelli's K 515 & 516. Wish they had done more, but there you go.

I have that one, I should give a listen. Last time I approached the Quintets I started with the MDG set (Villa something-or-other) and ran back to the Grumiaux after experiencing horror.

[amw]

The Kuijkens recorded all six but are the only group I know of to have done so. There's also a period instruments single disc of 174 & 406 by Les Adieux on DHM but I've never heard it.

(My personal favourite recordings of the quintets are Chiara Banchini & Ensemble 415 in 515/516, L'Archibudelli in 515/516, Takács Quartet [Dusinberre lineup] & György Pauk in 515/516, the Kuijkens, Hausmusik in 515/516/593/614, the Grillers, and the Leipzig Quartet & Hartmut Röhde alluded to above. I am personally still awaiting a London Haydn Quartet or Chiaroscuro Quartet complete set and suspect I'll be waiting a long time.)

[Gurn Blanston]

The Kuijkens recorded all six but are the only group I know of to have done so. There's also a period instruments single disc of 174 & 406 by Les Adieux on DHM but I've never heard it.

(My personal favourite recordings of the quintets are Chiara Banchini & Ensemble 415 in 515/516, L'Archibudelli in 515/516, Takács Quartet [Dusinberre lineup] & György Pauk in 515/516, the Kuijkens, Hausmusik in 515/516/593/614, the Grillers, and the Leipzig Quartet & Hartmut Röhde alluded to above. I am personally still awaiting a London Haydn Quartet or Chiaroscuro Quartet complete set and suspect I'll be waiting a long time.)

I've never seen the Kuijkens recording of the first two. Guess I will have to look in Tokyo! (that's where I find most of their stuff on Denon).  I am not surprised Les Adieux have recorded those, but like you, I have never seen it. *sigh*.  I would also look for Banchini, she is one of my favorite players!