Haydn's Haus

[snyprrr]

Hi Leo - I've enjoyed the first two Haydn SQ releases from this excellent group & the reviews were excellent, so I just went ahead and purchased the Op. 20 set assuming similar excellence - have just listened once and really enjoyed also - Hyperion as usual has done an outstanding effort in recording these string players.

Well, there was an excellent review on MusicWeb reprinted HERE; however, I just received the Jan-Feb 2012 issues of the American Record Guide & Fanfare, and was rather shocked by simultaneous and independent negative comments made in both of these publications (for those interested, I've attached a summary of both reviews) - my first feeling is that neither of these reviewers are into this approach at all, particularly by some of their alternate recommendations - will be interested in the thoughts of others - hard to believe that the London Haydn SQ fell apart and did not know what they were doing on these recordings vs. their earlier superb efforts.

I plan to re-listen to these Op. 20 recordings soon and will be curious about the comments from others - Dave

I juuust heard about the LHQ Op.20. Hmmm... isn't that what my precious Haydn String Quartet Thread was for?!?!

Any new insights?

[DavidW]

Hi, Conor. I have listened to some excerpts and the sound quality seems a bit reverberant. I have also read some reviews pointing this out. What do you think about this?

I'm not Conor but have heard the entire set multiple times (used to own it), and I don't remember it being that bad with the reverb, but it has a very imbalanced stereo imaging that is distracting (at least with headphones).

Performance wise I think that it is similar in style to the Tatrai, a bit on the grim side lacking the warmth and humor that at least I want in my Haydn, but very well played.  I prefer both PI cycles over it, I also prefer the Kodaly Q set over it.

[Gurn Blanston]

I juuust heard about the LHQ Op.20. Hmmm... isn't that what my precious Haydn String Quartet Thread was for?!?!

Any new insights?

Well, you need to tend it better. I've gone looking for it before and after 15-20 pages I give up. Probably not just me, either, esp. when the other Haydn thread is right at the top from being used a lot. If you want, I can PM you when the next set comes out...

[Gurn Blanston]

.....I prefer the Solomon's account (sounding rustic and down to earth) but eagerly await to hear what the London Haydn Quartet will do with Op.33.

I would like to hear the Solomons doing Op 33, but it is pretty much a rarity on the market. I've been picking up their disks when they are the right blend of price and quality, but even at that I don't have them all yet. I wonder why Hyperion don't seem inclined to getting a complete cycle down on tape.

[Gurn Blanston]

I'm not Conor but have heard the entire set multiple times (used to own it), and I don't remember it being that bad with the reverb, but it has a very imbalanced stereo imaging that is distracting (at least with headphones).

Performance wise I think that it is similar in style to the Tatrai, a bit on the grim side lacking the warmth and humor that at least I want in my Haydn, but very well played.  I prefer both PI cycles over it, I also prefer the Kodaly Q set over it.

I haven't heard this set yet, although it has been reported to me that it is likely to not be congruent with my tastes, so the likelihood of me spending 80€ to find out is slim, I'm afraid. On the plus side, frequently when there are reissues like this then the market for overpriced collectors items takes a hit, which always pleases me.

Yeah, I didn't want to take your name in vain, but you commented this to me a long time go and I felt right away that this wasn't going to work for me. FWIW, on modern instruments, for an entire cycle's worth, I like the Kodaly's just fine. Of course, one can always cobble together sufficient performances to make a better cycle, but I don't want to go there, since I am quite pleased with my various PI recordings already.

9)

[chasmaniac]

I don't remember it being that bad with the reverb

I do. Way too much room. (I don't use headphones - can't speak to that.)

[Conor71]

Quote from: Antoine Marchand on Today at 12:54:57 AM

Hi, Conor. I have listened to some excerpts and the sound quality seems a bit reverberant. I have also read some reviews pointing this out. What do you think about this?

Yes there is a bit of reverb and this probably is'nt to everyones taste - I personally find the effect quite pleasing though

[Conor71]

Quote from: DavidW on Today at 01:54:24 AM

I'm not Conor but have heard the entire set multiple times (used to own it), and I don't remember it being that bad with the reverb, but it has a very imbalanced stereo imaging that is distracting (at least with headphones).

Performance wise I think that it is similar in style to the Tatrai, a bit on the grim side lacking the warmth and humor that at least I want in my Haydn, but very well played.  I prefer both PI cycles over it, I also prefer the Kodaly Q set over it.

Yes the strereo image is a bit unbalanced and a lot of the time there appears to be more sound coming into the right side - I thought I was just imagining it at first but I think you are right David . Overall its not too much of a problem and I still prefer this recording to my previous one which is by the Aeolian Quartet.

[Conor71]

Quote from: SonicMan46 on Today at 12:30:27 AM

Well, just checked MDT for the price on the upcoming release shown above - converts to about $80 USA dollars - current offering for the older set is $88 using Amazon Prime - NOW, will this newer release hit the Amazon MP at possibly $60 or less?  I'll wait to see -

I paid about $80 US for my set so I dont feel too bad now Dave, thanks for pointing that out The collectors editions usually price well on the Amazon MP and I would'nt be suprised to see it selling for $60 or less for sure!

[Leon]

The Angeles cycle was my second set after I'd had the Amadeus for a while.  I cannot agree that the Kodaly is a better set, I find the Angeles consistently more interesting and of a higher quality that the Kodaly who strike me as merely adequate in these works.  I do not listen using headphones and have not noticed anything distracting about the recorded sound.  I just put on 76/2, the quartet I am most familiar with, and although I've never noticed it, I can understand the comments about reverberance.   It is not so wet that details are blurred, so it does not bother me.

That said, they are not my favorites in these works, but if a set were to be found for budget cost I'd recommend them over many others.  But of course different strokes for different folks.

[DavidW]

I still can't believe that I paid $200 for it and now it's $80!!!

[Karl Henning]

Oof!

[snyprrr]

Double oof!!

[Gurn Blanston]

I still can't believe that I paid $200 for it and now it's $80!!!

I can't believe you paid $200 for it. What were you thinking? Didn't you know that someday people were gonna gig you for that? Well, my friend, that day is here!   

[Antoine Marchand]

I still can't believe that I paid $200 for it and now it's $80!!!

I paid some $180 for the complete set of the Tatrai Quartet (individual boxes, complete booklets), but there is no regret here. It's better, every time I listen to it. 

[Leon]

Just picked this up - didn't even know it existed:

Joseph Haydn: Five Keyboard Sonatas performed by Malcolm Bilson

[asin]B0009W5JDM[/asin]

The works he plays (on a Schanz Fortepiano) are:

Keyboard Sonata in C major, H. 16/50
Keyboard Sonata in A flat major, H. 16/43
Keyboard Sonata in G major, H. 16/39
Keyboard Sonata in C minor, H. 16/20
Keyboard Sonata in G major, H. 16/40

I am of course enjoying it very much.

[Gurn Blanston]

Just picked this up - didn't even know it existed:

Joseph Haydn: Five Keyboard Sonatas performed by Malcolm Bilson

[asin]B0009W5JDM[/asin]

The works he plays (on a Schanz Fortepiano) are:

Keyboard Sonata in C major, H. 16/50
Keyboard Sonata in A flat major, H. 16/43
Keyboard Sonata in G major, H. 16/39
Keyboard Sonata in C minor, H. 16/20
Keyboard Sonata in G major, H. 16/40

I am of course enjoying it very much.

Ah, Arnold, and I've raved over that disk a few times now too. It is one of my very favorite Haydn keyboard disks! For those who haven't got it yet; highly recommended.

[Leon]

Ah, Arnold, and I've raved over that disk a few times now too. It is one of my very favorite Haydn keyboard disks! For those who haven't got it yet; highly recommended.

Oh, sorry if I missed the rec by you recently.  I am sometimes a lazy reader ...

[Gurn Blanston]

Oh, sorry if I missed the rec by you recently.  I am sometimes a lazy reader ...

Oh, no worries, most recently was a while back now. Like in January, I think. Anyway, I'm delighted you got this, and nice to see that your first impression matches up with mine. Mine has never faded either, I still am very fond of this disk.

[Scion7]

I have the later quartets - "Papa" has a big catalogue and the early works are interesting historically for the creation of the form, but for listening pleasure, I appreciate the mature pieces.  Have these on CD: