Elliott Carter, 1908-2012

[not edward]

No specifics about audio (like 5.1 surround). I worry this is going to be the kind of mediocre video recording that we saw on Naxos's Carter 100 CD+DVD set.

It is an odd omission, certainly, though I'd be surprised if it were a mediocre recording given NMC's typical production values.

[Leo K.]

Was listening to Bernstein's account of Concerto for Orchestra on the way to work, a very well produced record! Almost overwhelming! Love this work!

[Leo K.]

Boston Concerto it is then. I have, and enjoy, the Symphonae.

Here's a wonderful dissertation on Carter's Boston Concerto. Despite the music theory on Hexachords (which is over my head), there is a lot of good background and context of the work.

A Multifaceted Approach to Analyzing Form in
Elliott Carter's Boston Concerto (PDF)
http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4796&context=etd

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Comparative quartets

I see that the Juilliard's complete quartet set is being reissued, and there is another complete set with the Pacifica on Naxos.

Would anyone like to give a brief comparison of these two sets? Which do you favor and why?

(So far, my Carter 4tet listening is restricted to the Composers Quartet record of 1 and 2.)

[bwv 1080]

There is also a late 80s Arditti set of 1-4 and a later recording of 5.  I like julliard's rendition of the 3rd the best, it sacrifices some precision for an overall dramatic arc.  They likewise give the 1st a very good reading. 

Pacifica looses some of the dramatic arc of the 3rd but plays more precisely

My advice would be to buy them all, the works deserve multiple interpetations

[DavidW]

Comparative quartets

I see that the Juilliard's complete quartet set is being reissued, and there is another complete set with the Pacifica on Naxos.

Would anyone like to give a brief comparison of these two sets? Which do you favor and why?

(So far, my Carter 4tet listening is restricted to the Composers Quartet record of 1 and 2.)

I prefer Pacifica Quartet overall to Juilliard.  Juilliard is just not as emotionally engaging for me.  But it has been so long since I've heard the Juilliard set.  I love the Pacifica Q recordings.

[Leo K.]

I'm looking forward to acquiring the Pacifica Quartet's accounts of Carter's Quartets. I really love the Juilliard performances, the 60's recording and the set from Sony (mid 90's?).

[Leo K.]

I've been blown away by listening to the orchestral Three Occasions today. Amazing in every way.

Also, I'm growing quite fond of the Oboe Quartet and the Piano Quintet.

[Todd]

Would anyone like to give a brief comparison of these two sets? Which do you favor and why?

For me there isn't a big difference between them, but I marginally prefer the Pacifica.  They seem to play slightly better, though the Juilliard are no slouches, of course.

[amw]

Ardittis > Juilliards = Pacificas imo

I haven't heard the Composers.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Thanks for the feedback. I admit a slight bias for the Pacifica, cuz they're kind of local and I've met a couple of their players. But I assume that any group that tackles these works must be formidable by definition.

[not edward]

FWIW, as a latecomer:

I'd prefer the Juillards in the 3rd and the Pacifica in the 4th. But both are worth hearing, as are the Ardittis (my choice for the 5th).

I wish someone would issue on CD the Composers' Quartet's LP recording of the 3rd and 4th, as they are IMO clear first choices in the first two quartets.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I found out that the Pacifica 100th b-day set comes with an extra CD with a bunch of other (non-quartet) chamber music on it. This definitely is a plus factor.

Also, I suspect the liner notes on the Pacifica are better than on the Sony cheapo re-issue. For music like this, it's important. Anyone know?

[not edward]

I found out that the Pacifica 100th b-day set comes with an extra CD with a bunch of other (non-quartet) chamber music on it. This definitely is a plus factor.

Also, I suspect the liner notes on the Pacifica are better than on the Sony cheapo re-issue. For music like this, it's important. Anyone know?

You can check out the Pacifica liner notes to the two discs here:

1&5: http://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.559362&catNum=559362&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English#
2-4: http://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.559363&catNum=559363&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English#

The bonus disc is OK, but probably not a first choice in any of the pieces on it. It's a good souvenir of Carter's 2006 visit to Toronto for those who were present, but generally speaking other performances out there are a bit tighter and better executed. (My funniest--and definitely most Canadian--memory: during the concert where Mosaic and Dialogues were performed at the CBC's Glenn Gould studio, several of the musicians spent the intermission watching an NHL playoff game on the TV in the lobby.)

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

The bonus disc is OK, but probably not a first choice in any of the pieces on it.

Considering I don't have any of those pieces except Dialogues, I'll probably be happy with it.

(My funniest--and definitely most Canadian--memory: during the concert where Mosaic and Dialogues were performed at the CBC's Glenn Gould studio, several of the musicians spent the intermission watching an NHL playoff game on the TV in the lobby.)

Awesome! But I'll be really happy when NHL players spend intermission listening to an Elliott Carter concert.

[CRCulver]

I found out that the Pacifica 100th b-day set comes with an extra CD with a bunch of other (non-quartet) chamber music on it. This definitely is a plus factor.

That Naxos box set lacks the DVD that was originally included with that CD of chamber music performances, however.

Also, I suspect the liner notes on the Pacifica are better than on the Sony cheapo re-issue. For music like this, it's important. Anyone know?

If you want written commentary on Carter's quartets, then you really need Schiff's The Music of Elliott Carter. Much greater detail than any liner notes and written in a fairly accessible tone.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

That Naxos box set lacks the DVD that was originally included with that CD of chamber music performances, however.

You sure about that? Amazon's listing indicates otherwise:

http://www.amazon.com/CARTER-E-Quartets-Complete-Anniversary/dp/B002YOJC7W/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A9W1RO4XJ8D1Y

My decision to buy or not will not be affected by that bonus DVD, however.

[CRCulver]

You sure about that? Amazon's listing indicates otherwise. My decision to buy or not will not be affected by that bonus DVD, however.

I stand corrected. I suppose I got this mixed up with the fact that some editions of that chamber works release lacked the DVD.

[snyprrr]

I wish someone would issue on CD the Composers' Quartet's LP recording of the 3rd and 4th, as they are IMO clear first choices in the first two quartets.

Wasn't there a Music&Arts CD of Carter's 4th, Babbitt's 5th, and the Mel Powell? Wasn't that the Composer Quartet? Concord?

He won the Pulitzer for No.3, right?

And has anyone actually heard the Julliard 5th? (still think I'd rather just reacquire the old SONY)

[Leo K.]

Been diving into Carter's Symphonia and blown away, truly stunned over what I'm hearing. My wife has to peel me off the floor!