Shostakovich String Quartets

[George]

Too busy to be bored, actually.

He who is not busy being bored is busy dying...

[snyprrr]

Too busy to be bored, actually.

BTW, I've got the Orlando Quartet disc in my cart at BRO . . . wonder if I'll nab it? . . .

I'm hoping mine shows up tomorrow. I haaad to pick up the Philharmonia's 3/7/12 (Thorofon) to make the order- their 12... let's just say the sample indicate that these are definitely First Chairs.

btw Karl, I am pretty shocked, but the Emerson appear to be the ONLY one who play the ending 'Moderato' of No.3 Op.73 CORRECTLY, imo, at 8 minutes. How no one else seems to do this is quite disappointing (I think the Beethoven do, but the Emerson just nail it). Yea, now I'm bummed because I can't find an alternative 3 with the quick ending.

I'm starting to 'discover' 3- seeing it's been one of my least favourite I've avoided it, but now I'm considering it The Proper String Quartet No.1 since it contains so much of what comes later (to me, No.1 is the gimme, and No.2 inhabits such an odd world from the whole rest of the Cycle).
\

And the Emerson are one of the few who get that 'Adagio' in 7 nice and quick (under 3 minutes), making that rocking figure really work, whereas others just let it lay there at, usually 3:50.


I do become annoyed sometimes that I can't what I want- either one of the movements is taken at a ridiculous tempo, or the sound is dank, or dry, or there's no 'It' there, or something,... why can't someone make a Cycle for the snob? I do feel that the St. Petersburg are the most astonishing modern presentation I've heard, (and the sound engineering has a lot to do with it), even though, I do feel they fail a high percentage of the time. I really like the Eder, but their Naxos sound is only good for the 'Dead Quartets'.

ok, it's late and I'm rambling (not drinking)-


I passed up some cheap Ebay Beethoven and Fitzwilliams Cycles last weekend- I don't just want to get get get "just because"- not that they're not on the radar- the time's not right. I am mostly happy with the way my current DSCHMania has developed- I'm just frustrated in those works that I can't seem to find the ruby slipper for (SQs 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14- not that I don't have some very good one- 5, particularly, is tough on players and engineers).

11 is a piece that most everyone does equally well: it's my new throw-away. I've onl (I was just gonna go on forever----goodnight zzZZzzz)

[Karl Henning]

He who is not busy being bored is busy dying...

Now, wait a minute, dear fellow!

[George]

Now, wait a minute, dear fellow!

It was a silly spin on a somewhat obscure Dylan lyric that I thought you would know.

"He who is not busy being born is busy dying."

[Karl Henning]

I missed that!  What's the song?

[North Star]

I missed that!  What's the song?

Googled it for you. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_Alright,_Ma_(I'm_Only_Bleeding)

[George]

I missed that!  What's the song?

Lyrics for It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)

(two opening verses)

Darkness at the break of noon
Shadows even the silver spoon
The handmade blade, the child's balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon
There is no sense in trying

Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
Suicide remarks are torn
From the fool's gold mouthpiece the hollow horn
Plays wasted words, proves to warn
That he not busy being born is busy dying

Read more: http://www.bobdylan.com/us/songs/its-alright-ma-im-only-bleeding#ixzz3HAfFuRmr

[snyprrr]

I can't believe you defiled my Thread.

[George]

I can't believe you defiled my Thread.

It's alright, snyprr, it's only Dylan

[Karl Henning]

[snip]

btw Karl, I am pretty shocked, but the Emerson appear to be the ONLY one who play the ending 'Moderato' of No.3 Op.73 CORRECTLY, imo, at 8 minutes. How no one else seems to do this is quite disappointing (I think the Beethoven do, but the Emerson just nail it). Yea, now I'm bummed because I can't find an alternative 3 with the quick ending.

[snip]

And the Emerson are one of the few who get that 'Adagio' in 7 nice and quick (under 3 minutes), making that rocking figure really work, whereas others just let it lay there at, usually 3:50.

[snip]

I knew that love for the Emersons would shine through!

[snyprrr]

I knew that love for the Emersons would shine through!

Well, I got the Orlando 3/6 today. Hmmm,... i don't know how to critique it- it's quite 'Classical' as one would expect from the Orlando. The recording is very homey and highlights the rustic woodsy tones. There is an 'insistence' that I'm not quite sure about... mm... at first I wasn't going to recommend it, but I was being a bit reactionary. It's very good- perhaps it's just a slight balance issue in the recording, perhaps not. Maybe I'm just not used to my Shosty 6 the way they play it- some of the contours appear slightly differently in their tempos.

Right now, I'd put it at the top of the heap of the less 'crystal' recordings- Eder, Shostakovich... this may actually be competition for the Jerusalem. Anyhow, Karl, I may just being stupid, it may very well be better than simply VG.



The Philharmonia 3/7/12, frankly, went right into the Sell pile. Nothing special, nothing bad, just really right in the middle of the pack- the recording is nothing special, and does seem to swallow the attack a little. 12 was the draw- the Amati and Brodsky both were much more present, all the way around. wELL, THAT ABOUT DOES IT FOR 12- oops- no other 12s lurking out there. I stand by my earlier Post.



Now I just need THAT ONE 14th to act as a foil to Kremer.

[kishnevi]

Snyprrr, I think if you want to get the result you want,  the most efficient procedure would be to assemble  your own string quartet, have them practice together for a couple of years and then record the result.

[snyprrr]

Snyprrr, I think if you want to get the result you want,  the most efficient procedure would be to assemble  your own string quartet, have them practice together for a couple of years and then record the result.

already been considered

I'd just love to be in the room when some groups goes, "Hey kids, let's drag that 'Adagio' out, I'm mean really,... let's do it for Lenny!"

[snyprrr]

I finally found this Zig Zag Territories disc of Beethoven 'Harp' and Shosty Op.93.... I'd been having difficulty finding a Perfect Fifth- but- YES!!- this 'live' document is the Real Deal- a 12:00 1st that has momentum (some can drag there), and the rest follows suit. Let me be Emphatic!!- THIS IS THE OP.93 YOU MUST REALLY TRY- search Amazon under 'BORDEAUX QUARTET" - maybe add 'Atrium'- it's not listed under Shostakovich. Anyhow- the ensemble in this most sinewy piece is ABQ-like- I'd say it's the best overall 5th I've heard- much bigger sounding than the Pacifica and Mandelring samples. Yes, this is a Beethovinian performance.





The other disc, and maybe final installment of my current mania- is the Mandelring 10/12/14. One of you )Mandryka?) really liked their 14th, and I thought their samples yielded the best modern I'd heard. Could you verify with a long drawn out review? haha






So, no one else is DSCHing at the moment? (I really haaave overdone it a bit!!)

[NorthNYMark]

I finally found this Zig Zag Territories disc of Beethoven 'Harp' and Shosty Op.93.... I'd been having difficulty finding a Perfect Fifth- but- YES!!- this 'live' document is the Real Deal- a 12:00 1st that has momentum (some can drag there), and the rest follows suit. Let me be Emphatic!!- THIS IS THE OP.93 YOU MUST REALLY TRY- search Amazon under 'BORDEAUX QUARTET" - maybe add 'Atrium'- it's not listed under Shostakovich. Anyhow- the ensemble in this most sinewy piece is ABQ-like- I'd say it's the best overall 5th I've heard- much bigger sounding than the Pacifica and Mandelring samples. Yes, this is a Beethovinian performance.





The other disc, and maybe final installment of my current mania- is the Mandelring 10/12/14. One of you )Mandryka?) really liked their 14th, and I thought their samples yielded the best modern I'd heard. Could you verify with a long drawn out review? haha






So, no one else is DSCHing at the moment? (I really haaave overdone it a bit!!)

I raved about about the Mandelring in #2, and generally enjoy their sound and approach.  I would be happy to write up some longer impressions of  their performances of 10/12/14, but it will likely have to wait until the week of Thanksgiving--much too busy until then.

I've been listening to the DSCH (and Weinberg) quartets quite a bit, but have been mixing them up with other things to avoid string quartet burnout

[snyprrr]

I raved about about the Mandelring in #2, and generally enjoy their sound and approach.  I would be happy to write up some longer impressions of  their performances of 10/12/14, but it will likely have to wait until the week of Thanksgiving--much too busy until then.

I've been listening to the DSCH (and Weinberg) quartets quite a bit, but have been mixing them up with other things to avoid string quartet burnout

mm'kay


Yea, I'm trying to stave off burnout myself here...


Still, must hawk that Bordeaux SQ disc with Op.93, monumental...

[snyprrr]

No.2 Op.68 'War' Quartet No.1

Borodin'83
Borodin'90
Brodsky
Moyzes
St.Petersburg/SONY

I have problems here. First off, I got so used to the Borodin'83's nice, big, boomy acoustic, which so nicely fills in the space around the opening of the 'Overture', that drier acoustics tend to make this piece sound small to me. But, I got the Borodin, and, though I cut my teeth with their Op.68, I do now go searching for something... 'cleaner'. I mean, besides some technical issues, their '83 has a lot going for it, including wonderfully old fashioned playing styles. Their 'Recitative & Romance' is the longest on record at 12:48, but, this is a movement I am not confident to critique yet; however, many seem to fail the movement by playing it much too quickly (St.Petersburg?); the Sorrel have been commended here. The Borodin'90 have a much more constricted acoustic, and others also (Brodsky, Moyzes) do not duplicate the Borodin'83's 'Heroic' acoustic- this IS a Big, Heroic, Beethovinian SQ, right? In the grande manner?

I like everyone in the 'Waltz', but this is a very distinct movement in Shostakovich, and has eluded my attention until recently. I like the thick textures, and turgid writing; normally it would be a turn off, but here DSCH strikes gold!

The concluding 'Theme and Variations' is a classic, Russian melody. I'm still working on it. The Borodin'83 take the longer view at 11:24; the Brodsky cut a minute at 10:22.


Again, acoustic seems to me to be a big factor here. Shouldn't the big opening 'Overture' have a Symphonic sweep to it, complete with big acoustic (which I'm normally averse to, but here I like)? All others besides the Borodin'83 have a smallish acoustic that robs the music of Heroicism for me. I hear the newer St.Petersburg/Hyperion has a severely short slow movement, I've heard good things about the Sorrel, but I haven't heard much else. I can't imagine the early Masters to have very good recordings, regardless of performance; I'd like to hear the Fitzwilliam; I do distrust the Moderns here, don't know why- can't remember the Emerson,... anyone?

So, who's winning your heart in Op.68?

EDIT:

I just listened to samples from: (most all surprisingly excellent)

Beethoven- no like sound, others supercede
Borodin'67- wild, baby! decent sound
Fitzwilliam- vivd, sumptuous, fav sample
                                                                  Shostakovich- eh, only one that really didn't impress
Eder- suprisingly perfectly excellent- sound fits great here

Manhattan- tight, nice
Emerson- really liked this one, very big- fav
St.Petersburg/Hyperion- great slow 'Overture'- big sound fav
Sorrel- great slow 'Overture; slowest Finale at 12:30!! big sound fav

Mandelring- things to say!! 'Waltz' breaks 4 minutes!


YEA!! I was surprised that most everyone really nails Op.68.- pretty much no matter what you do to it. Had the Sorrel used the looong slow movement, the SQ would run 29:40!! and Op.68 can actually handle it, either way- here's a chart:

I      7:55 - 8:22- 8:44          really not such a great variation overall

II    9:09- 10:00- 10:45- 11:35- 12:48       Borodin'83 go where no one else has ever gone; Beethoven muy fast

III    4:47- 5:45- 6:20            really not such a great variation overall

IV   9:59- 11:24                  really not such a great variation overall


This is one of the more homoganus? DSCHSQs as you can see. arrfffQ!!

[snyprrr]

c'mon... someone

[snyprrr]

c'mon... someone

I COMMAND YOU!!

[Karl Henning]

You do, do you?