Bartok's String Quartets

[rickardg]

After listening to Bartok's SQ no 2 earlier today I almost bought a set when browsing at my local shop, but since neither of them rang a bell I thought I'd better ask for recommendations here.

The ones I saw were the Emerson Quartet and the Vermeer Quartet, but other suggestions are more than welcome.

It would also be great if you could find the time to give a capsule review of your prefered recording, if only to make the thread more interesting to innocent bystanders.

[not edward]

Caveat: I've only heard a few sets: Emerson, Vegh, Keller, Juillards:

My personal favourite of these is the Vegh Quartet, who I think get the "Hungarian" rhythms absolutely perfectly. They tend to be at their best in the less modernist works, so I think the 3rd quartet is a little low on energy. The 4th starts slowly but it works in the context of the wild energy the Veghs produce later on, while their 6th is outstanding and really brings out the bitterness and sadness in the work.

I'd also strongly recommend the '60s Juillard (I have the Sony version): it's an extremely strong set with no weak links and idiomatic performances all around. I'd probably think of it as a better all-round selection for a first purchase, because of its consistently high quality.

I'm less keen on the other two: I find the Emersons do a great 3rd quartet but the others, for me, lack rhythmic nuance and flexibility--I don't find the music swings properly. The Kellers are more akin to the Veghs (but cheaper); they do a superb 2nd and 6th but the rest of the set doesn't draw me back.

[bhodges]

This set emerged in another thread on independent labels: the Vertavo String Quartet (on Simax), whose set is supposed to be excellent.  (I haven't heard it yet, but it's gotten very good reviews.)

--Bruce

[Montpellier]

I've heard the Juilliard, the Vegh, The Alban Berg and the Fine Arts Quartet and it's the latter I prefer even if an older recording (reissued Music and Arts 3 CDs: CD1176).  Some quartets play them with such polish that the nervous energy is lost.

[dirkronk]

I'd also strongly recommend the '60s Juillard (I have the Sony version): it's an extremely strong set with no weak links and idiomatic performances all around. I'd probably think of it as a better all-round selection for a first purchase, because of its consistently high quality.

I concur. It's been literally years since I did my last thorough review of Bartok SQs, so any specifics about performances and sonics would be less than accurate, I'm sure. However, the Juilliard (on LP) was the hands-down winner for my ears at the time and remains in my collection to this day. A single DGG LP of the Tokyo SQ doing #2 and #6 continues to impress every time I put it on, though for some reason I've never felt compelled to seek out their complete set of Bartok; the Tokyo's energy and finesse are both rather amazing but someone else will have to comment on their other Bartok SQs. I have, since those days, acquired the Emersons (on CD) but have reservations similar to Edward's about their performance. I also found a less-known set by the Tatrai Quartet (on old Dover LPs) which offered some very interesting performances indeed, but whose pressings were too riddled with flaws (alas!) to be true contenders for shelf space in the collection. Anyone know if these were ever put out on CD?

FWIW,

Dirk

[mn dave]

There's a new set in town.



And it's the only one I currently own. I used to own the Naxos.

[Josquin des Prez]

60s Juilliard and above all Tokyo on DG.

[Josquin des Prez]

Avoid Toyko's set despite any recommendations it's inferior and badly out of tune.

Which Tokyo? There's two sets going around, one of them being vastly inferior to the other.

[SonicMan46]

Will be interested in this thread - not much to add @ the moment, sorry!  I own the Emerson set (good deal from BMG music) - not bad, but something seems to be lacking - can't thoroughly enjoy these performances (is it the music and/or the performers?) - will enjoy reading the other recommendations - believe that I need another set for comparison (have only had some single discs in the past) - thanks to all for comments - 

[George]

Will be interested in this thread - not much to add @ the moment, sorry!  I own the Emerson set (good deal from BMG music) - not bad, but something seems to be lacking - can't thoroughly enjoy these performances (is it the music and/or the performers?) - will enjoy reading the other recommendations - believe that I need another set for comparison (have only had some single discs in the past) - thanks to all for comments - 

Ah, not always an easy question to answer, eh? 

[SonicMan46]

Ah, not always an easy question to answer, eh? 

Thanks, George - you understand my point!    I adore string chamber music (as many already may know), but some of these 20th century works (and not mentioning specific composers @ this point) just seem to often 'grate on my brain' as I listen, but still WANT to hear another interpretation of the Bartok works! 

[PSmith08]

I like the Emerson set on DG. For whatever reason, it works for me.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I like the Emerson set on DG. For whatever reason, it works for me.

It's one I enjoy, as well.

Vegh is good, too. And Takacs.

[Peregrine]

Takacs has it's moments but lacks the intensity & insight necessary for these works and all the details are offensively fudged with crappy production values, so avoid it.

Agreed, horrible stuff.

I have the 50's Juilliard traversal, which is a fabulous set (the first recorded cycle by a SQ?), very intense. The recording is very dry though. Their 60's set is a glowing omission in my Juillard discography, been meaning to order it from HMV Japan for a while. I also own the Keller's set which contrasts very nicely and the 'Bergs', but just find they make the music very mechanical. The Hungarian SQ has been ordered, so will hopefully have that soon...

[George]

Thanks, George - you understand my point!    I adore string chamber music (as many already may know), but some of these 20th century works (and not mentioning specific composers @ this point) just seem to often 'grate on my brain' as I listen, but still WANT to hear another interpretation of the Bartok works! 

That's why I like this forum, I get one interpretation that is highly recommended and that sounds enjoyable from samples - and if I don't enjoy it, I move on. I don't need to like everything. Incidentally, I really like my Takacs set.

[Drasko]

Anyone familiar with Tatrai?

[Peregrine]

Anyone familiar with Tatrai?

No, but I would like to be! Is that still available?

[Drasko]

No, but I would like to be! Is that still available?

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1523856&style=classical

http://www.amazon.com/Bartók-String-Quartets-6-Divertimento/dp/B00000309I

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/hnum/6403023?rk=classic&rsk=hitlist

[karlhenning]

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/hnum/6403023?rk=classic&rsk=hitlist

Oof! 43 euros!

[Drasko]

Oof! 43 euros!

http://www.amazon.de/Bartok-String-Quartet-No-4/dp/B00000309I