Bartok's String Quartets

[dirkronk]

Anyone familiar with Tatrai?

I presume this is the same set I mentioned above. I acquired the Tatrai on old Dover LPs, not that long ago, and what I've been able to hear so far is quite interesting. Problem is, I really haven't heard that much yet: bad surface noise has prevented me from seriously assessing the performances. Need to attack these with a scrub brush and my trusty old Nitty Gritty to see if they're salvageable or only good as landfill fodder. I'd love to say that I'll do that this weekend, then listen and report--but my wife has this long honey-do list that has nothing to do with records or music...


Dirk

[Todd]

My favorites are the Vegh (Naive), Takacs (Decca), and Emerson.  Down a level are the Hungarian Quartet, the Juilliard 60s recordings, and the first Vegh cycle.

Some to steer clear of are the Lindsays, Chilingirian, and Penderecki.  (Though the last ensemble listed does bring a briefly interesting, almost Brahmsian sound to the first two quartets.) 

That new Belcea set has its moments - the first quartet definitely not among them - but lacks that something special.  Still a nice listen.

[Peregrine]

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

Thanks, Drasko.

Wasn't aware they had done the Bartok SQ's, will consider for the future.

[Drasko]

I presume this is the same set I mentioned above. I acquired the Tatrai on old Dover LPs, not that long ago, and what I've been able to hear so far is quite interesting. Problem is, I really haven't heard that much yet: bad surface noise has prevented me from seriously assessing the performances. Need to attack these with a scrub brush and my trusty old Nitty Gritty to see if they're salvageable or only good as landfill fodder. I'd love to say that I'll do that this weekend, then listen and report--but my wife has this long honey-do list that has nothing to do with records or music...


Dirk

Keep us posted, at your Mrs. Ronk leisure, of course

[Expresso]

Emerson quartet for intense performance and Keller quartet for a more smooth but darker approach.

[George]

Keep us posted, at your Mrs. Ronk leisure, of course

[Renfield]

Here's a question:

I have the chance to listen live to the 1st, 3rd and 5th of these quartets from the hungarian (aptly-named) Bartók Quartet.

This would be my introduction to the works, my only prior exposure to the composer being "Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta".


Do I go for it? Not that I'd anyway pass a nice opportunity for any (good) live chamber music, but I'd still welcome your views.

[Lethevich]

I have the chance to listen live to the 1st, 3rd and 5th of these quartets from the hungarian (aptly-named) Bartók Quartet.

This would be my introduction to the works, my only prior exposure to the composer being "Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta".

Do I go for it? Not that I'd anyway pass a nice opportunity for any (good) live chamber music, but I'd still welcome your views.

Sounds like a "must go" recital - the SQs are great, but also very accessable. Even the 1st isn't trash, despite not being up there with the last 4.

[Daverz]

Caimen has the Jiulliard 60's cycle, though I can't find it at Tower.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Bartok-Julliard-String-Quartet/dp/B000P6RB88

[rickardg]

Thanks to all whom have posted! It's been a very informative thread so far.  A quick collation of the recommendations show that the Emersons and the '60s Juliards are in the lead with several recommendations each.

Surprisingly there are relatively few reviews on the usual websites (either that or my google-fu is failing me).

The Vermeer Quartet get a decent review on musicweb "some very good things in and among, but ultimately not enough bite and attack to make it truly memorable" and JedDistler on CT seems to share the sentiment and gives a 8/10.

The Belcea Quartet also get a luke-warm evaluation by Jed Distler: "[their] Bartók may not add up to a first choice reference edition, yet collectors won't want to miss its finest moments." while Michael Cookson on MW is more positive but still prefers the Takács "[the] String Quartets are decently recorded and splendidly performed [...]. However by some distance the set from the Takács onDecca is the one to have."

Dominy Clements of Musicweb gives the Keller Quartet's (budget) release a good review but still prefers the Takács'.

Gramophone to the rescue then, their review of the Vermeer Quartet's cycle ("It's a lovely set to have in reserve but I couldn't make it a top recommendation – there's too little 'edge' for that") gives links to reviews of most the other suspects

The general feeling I get from the review sites is that most seem to prefer the Takács Quartet on Decca rather than the Emersons or the Juliards but several reviewers thinks highly of them all. As usual I'm more confused now than when I began, albeit on a higher and more informed level. God job then that Bartók weren't as productive as, say, Haydn, most cycles aren't that expensive.

[George]

The general feeling I get from the review sites is that most seem to prefer the Takács Quartet on Decca rather than the Emersons or the Juliards but several reviewers thinks highly of them all. As usual I'm more confused now than when I began, albeit on a higher and more informed level. God job then that Bartók weren't as productive as, say, Haydn, most cycles aren't that expensive.

That was the impression I got as well when I was in the market for a set of these quartets. I bought the Takacs set and haven't looked back. Haven't even considered a second set.

Have you sampled them at all?

[mn dave]

The Belcea Quartet also get a luke-warm evaluation by Jed Distler: "[their] Bartók may not add up to a first choice reference edition, yet collectors won't want to miss its finest moments."

Read Gramophone's.

[rickardg]

Have you sampled them at all?

Not really (busy private life and slow work has meant little listening but lots of web surfing, hence the over-researched post), I've listened some more to the Vermeers who "sound good to me", I will check what's available at the library as well.

Read Gramophone's.

Aha, "the Belcea's brilliant Bartók beats the best". I couldn't find it in their own search engine, had to use google.

Gramophone seems to have covered most of the bases, e g positive takes on the Hagen Qt: "in the front rank" and on the Keller Qt.

[snyprrr]

Bumped. I know I'm going to need this soon.

Best 1-2?

I recall the Chilingirian.

[snyprrr]

ack...no one cares ...

[ChamberNut]

Emerson SQ or Takacs

[snyprrr]

Concerning Bartok No.3:

I'm no great fan of the Emerson, but their brutal style seems to work wonders in the "barbaric" passages of these SQs. I used to have the Takacs, but have forgotten how they sound (I knooow that they are great, but, as compared to the Emersons, I forget how "vigorous" they are)

A) Is anyone else as bloodthirsty?

B) SQ No.3 is very important to me, and the Emersons here just knock my socks off (I just don't want their 1-2). Do the Takacs really match the Emerson here? Is there another No.3 that balances the "folk/demonic"? Why am I curious about the Hagen?

[ChamberNut]

Concerning Bartok No.3:

I'm no great fan of the Emerson, but their brutal style seems to work wonders in the "barbaric" passages of these SQs. I used to have the Takacs, but have forgotten how they sound (I knooow that they are great, but, as compared to the Emersons, I forget how "vigorous" they are)

From my experience, on an overall basis, I prefer the Emerson's over Takacs by the slimmest of margins.  However, I do prefer the Takacs 4th over the Emersons.

[springrite]

From my experience, on an overall basis, I prefer the Emerson's over Takacs by the slimmest of margins.  However, I do prefer the Takacs 4th over the Emersons.

Considering the 4th is my favorite of the set... hummm...

[snyprrr]

I have the Arditti in No.4, and it is amazingly aenemic. ???whaaa?...

Simply uncompetetive. From the very first notes (compared to Emerson for instance) one is shocked by the lack of jet fuel. Other mvmts. fare better, but you just can't start this SQ off in such a manner. By comparison, the Emerson hit the intro just so.