Shostakovich String Quartets

[snyprrr]

has anyone heard the Petersen in either 1/4 or 8, on Capriccio (as usual)? This usually favoured group has not been getting the best press here, and I have no real interest in their interpretations,... eh?

[Karl Henning]

No 

[snyprrr]

I don't see anyone having mentioned the brand new Borodin lineup's Decca recording of 1/8/14!!

eh??

hellooo!!!

[amw]

it was in the new releases thread a while back.

I haven't heard it but when they finish the cycle it will probably be the best one ever recorded. The Borodins are really, really tight right now.

[snyprrr]

it was in the new releases thread a while back.

I haven't heard it but when they finish the cycle it will probably be the best one ever recorded. The Borodins are really, really tight right now.

Well, I certainly wouldn't have pulled a Pavlov if it had been 1/7/8,... or 1/3/8, 3/7/8,... you know? Thankfully, we have a recording of No.14 that appears to go after the slooow Kremer version, so, thaaat's interesting,... and, No.14  only has had one Borodin recording until now, so, yes, this particular issue at least has something "different" to recommend it. And, it appears that their No.8 will be going after the Sorrel's crown here,... we'll see...


But, yea, this Cycle came out of nowhere,... I recall no lead-up?,... eh...


can't wait! 0:)



(and maybe each CD will have a different line-up than we are used to? Quintet? Trio? 2 Pieces? Octets? Arrangements?

AND WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THAT MORGAUA QT. CYCLE ON EMI/JAPAN??

[snyprrr]

3/4/7 (META4 String Quartet; Hanssler)


This is an exteeemely well recorded CD,... I couldn't possibly stress this enough. Along with that is an interpretation of Op.73 that has quite a bit of individuality (apparently the won a Shostyprize for their interpretation). Their 7:30 1st may be the longest timing out there, but their more leisurely pace simply brings out other aspects of the humour.

Op.83 shot right up the snyprrr hit parade, and if only the took the finale at my more preferred quicker tempo, I would could this as perhaps the best overall presentation. They also take the 1st as slow as the Rubio- and, at 4:27, this IS about the outside of what the movement really wants (the best I've heard hover around the 4 minute mark).

No.7 is played so straight that it barely registered- we now have so many of these that you really need to do something to get one's attention, either play it too fast or too slow, or add so funky tonal qualities, or sooomething. Sure, it's "perfect", so, really, it's fine, but, frankly, it's post-2000, so Op.108 could stand with some toying with, eh?

Either way, I'm totally (man) recommending this for 3, and especially 4, for the sumptuously clean and clear sound and the silky ensemble. Maybe it's a Nordic thing?

[Karl Henning]

Well, I certainly wouldn't have pulled a Pavlov if it had been 1/7/8,... or 1/3/8, 3/7/8,... you know?

Certainly not!

[snyprrr]

Certainly not!

I think you must spend too much time in the 'One Word Posts' and 'Two Word Posts' Threads,... I mean, reeeally. I can't remember the last time you offered  any information... opinion... humour... what's up wit dat?

"Certainly not!" WHAAAT? You aren't even clear in what you're 'certainly not' about- either you'd go Pavlov regardless, or you agreed with me,... but, when you communicate so blithely, eh, uh, what else am I to do but call you out?

I give give give- and you just take!! where's the love???

[Karl Henning]

I think you must spend too much time in the 'One Word Posts' and 'Two Word Posts' Threads,... I mean, reeeally. I can't remember the last time you offered  any information... opinion... humour... what's up wit dat?

That was humor, lad!  And my spirit is indeed blithe . . . .

Lately the quartets I have been listening to are Zemlinsky; not much to contribute here (apart from my wonted love for the Emersons    )

[Sergeant Rock]

I think you must spend too much time in the 'One Word Posts' and 'Two Word Posts' Threads,... I mean, reeeally. I can't remember the last time you offered  any information... opinion...

I fear I fail you too. Sorry. My excuse: I already have between seven and twelve versions of each Quartet. I'm satisfied; I have no real interest in acquiring more (unless something extraordinary shows up). I don't believe the Grail will ever be found for each and every one so I'm not willing to go on the quixotic hunt. I leave that to you, Sir Snyprrrfal 

Nevertheless, I read your reports and ravings with interest because you have pointed out the extraordinary a few times (e.g., Sorrel 8; Zapolsky 2).

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

I fear I fail you too. Sorry. My excuse: I already have between seven and twelve versions of each Quartet. I'm satisfied . . .

I have fewer, and if this be not satiety, it will do as a substitute.

[San Antone]

Today I took a chance on the Carducci String Quartet, a group I'd never heard but who recently released a recording of three Shostakovich quartets:

[asin]B00S6EN1EE[/asin]

Based on this recording I hope this is the first in a series of recordings of these works.

Some reviews of them, but not of this disc, yet.

[snyprrr]

I fear I fail you too. Sorry. My excuse: I already have between seven and twelve versions of each Quartet. I'm satisfied; I have no real interest in acquiring more (unless something extraordinary shows up). I don't believe the Grail will ever be found for each and every one so I'm not willing to go on the quixotic hunt. I leave that to you, Sir Snyprrrfal 

Nevertheless, I read your reports and ravings with interest because you have pointed out the extraordinary a few times (e.g., Sorrel 8; Zapolsky 2).

Sarge

No, but trust me, I'm THERE! I absolutely feel like I've ploughed the whole field here. The number of older releases that I have not at least heard a samples of are now very rare (the Anton Op.73 on ChantduMonde, for example). And, other than the Beethoven and Taneyev, there are no great hidden Cycles that I have not already throughly(!!!) vetted.

I too now have a bunch of samples for each work, and even though many of the works remain elusive for a perfect rendering (Op.73), I really can't expect anything much better than what's already been going around.

Seriously, when Karl says I'm only just beginning, well, no, there's nothing left. Every rock (pretty much) has been at least turned over and sniffed. I mean, I still have said no to the Fittzies even though they are always @$8- yea, I know, eventually... buuut....

The New Borodin really does represent something new, so, yea, that's going to get a Pavlov quicker than that Carducci that sanantonio says he took a CHANCE on- no one wants to get burned- I took a chance on the Georgian State SQ in 2-3, and, mm, even though they are wonderfully folksy guys, I probably would count that as a superfluous addition- but I know better than to put in the Sell pile immediately, lol!!


One thing I would like to recommend to both of you is the St.Petersburg two CDs on SONY, not the Hyperion Cycle. They are going for pennies and really are something special- raw and rough and ready (on SONY!!) in pristine '90s SONY sound. Those two discs may be my go to for just listening enjoyment (3/5/7 especially).



getting late- gotta go..................................

[amw]

The St Petersburg Quartet are students of members of the Taneyev Quartet (particularly Vladimir Ovcharek) so there's a direct 'line of succession' there, so to speak. Their recordings of Tchaikovsky and Borodin are also quite good, and I'd definitely like to hear their Prokofiev.

(I'm satisfied with the Taneyev+St Petersburg cycles and a few individual releases. Half considering a volume of the Sorrels's, maybe the one with 9 and 13 on it)

(I pretty much only listen to 3, 9, 12 and 13 from the Shostakovich cycle in the first place. Sometimes 2)

[Karl Henning]

(I pretty much only listen to 3, 9, 12 and 13 from the Shostakovich cycle in the first place. Sometimes 2)

9 is an interesting choice there.  (Of course, I like the lot, so there are no poor choices in my view.)

[snyprrr]

The St Petersburg Quartet are students of members of the Taneyev Quartet (particularly Vladimir Ovcharek) so there's a direct 'line of succession' there, so to speak. Their recordings of Tchaikovsky and Borodin are also quite good, and I'd definitely like to hear their Prokofiev.

(I'm satisfied with the Taneyev+St Petersburg cycles and a few individual releases. Half considering a volume of the Sorrels's, maybe the one with 9 and 13 on it)

(I pretty much only listen to 3, 9, 12 and 13 from the Shostakovich cycle in the first place. Sometimes 2)

Yes, the Sorrel 8/9/13 is the place to go, but I also think they may have the most stupendous 12 ever- sound+vision, just like in their 8.

For 9, the Sleeper is the Gosteleradio SQ on that old '80's Russian RCA/Melodiya disc. This 9 seriously has the most awesone finale of all- the Brodsky and even the Borodin'81 'live' beat out the Emerson here in my estimation (though 9 may be their best of show), but this Russian group gets everything plus a verrry good Soviet recording. Look for it cheap.

Frankly, I agree that sooome of DSCH SQs can be done with just a couple of performances (the "fast" one and the "slow" one??), but, 2-3 seem more elusive. Seriously try the bargain Zapolski in 2.


I HAVE YET NOT FOUND MY PERFECT OP.73. Borodin'83 would get the nod if their finale was of the "quicker" version (I'm not a big fan of that ultra-slow intro- the Emerson, by contrast, are just a fraction too quick for me. The St.Lawrence have everything I like except the super tight Skywalker Ranch sound. Both of the St.P have some issues here and there. Borodin'67 and '90 sound like old men to me (maybe mostly the '90). Hagen make it French. The Amati are really really good but have a beerhall/distant acoustic. The Allegri are also verrry good but have a sepulchural(?) audiophile sound that annoys me. The Orlando are also verrry good but have an aggressively fierce recording in spots.

The pizz in the allegro can be a dealbreaker/maker.

The way the opening of the adagio is phrased.

The tempo of the finale.

The tempo of the 2nd movement.

The 1st movement seems to usually always do well.

Today I took a chance on the Carducci String Quartet, a group I'd never heard but who recently released a recording of three Shostakovich quartets:

[asin]B00S6EN1EE[/asin]

Based on this recording I hope this is the first in a series of recordings of these works.

Some reviews of them, but not of this disc, yet.

I was hoping for some specifics. I was most impressed by the steely sounding samples of 11. 4 has the slow finale I don't like. Their 8 - was it vicious enough? The sound quality sounded super clear.





HOW ARE THE PACIFICA AND MANDELRING FARING NOW THAT SO MANY OTHER GROUPS ARE STARTING TO RECORD IN SPLENDIFEROUS SOUND? The Pacifica's sound image has always sound somewhat tiny in the samples, compared to the Mandelring's  state-of-the-art tight acoustic (I think these works could either stand a bigger acoustic, or, different acoustics for each piece).



I WILL CHECK THE MAILBOX ONE.... MORE... TIME (CDCDCD ALERT!!!!!!) FOR THAT BORODIN 1/8/14.

[San Antone]

I am no good when it comes to comparing recordings. 

I generally like the one I'm listening to unless there is something that stands out as wrong to my ears.  The Carducci was very enjoyable for me, but I can't offer you the kind of head-to-head analysis you seem to enjoy.

[Karl Henning]

I am no good when it comes to comparing recordings. 

I generally like the one I'm listening to unless there is something that stands out as wrong to my ears.

Likewise.  At times I will listen to two or three recordings back to back to compare;  I am more apt to find distinct things I enjoy about each, rather than use the occasion as a threshing floor 

[snyprrr]

Likewise.  At times I will listen to two or three recordings back to back to compare;  I am more apt to find distinct things I enjoy about each, rather than use the occasion as a threshing floor 

I am no good when it comes to comparing recordings. 

I generally like the one I'm listening to unless there is something that stands out as wrong to my ears.  The Carducci was very enjoyable for me, but I can't offer you the kind of head-to-head analysis you seem to enjoy.

WIIIMPS!!!

Seriously, though, I've been going through the Op.73, hit the Hagen again today. Yea, if there were a "French" way here, this would be it. I started at the big allegro, but, ack, wait,...?... they seem quite not white hot here, not compared to either the Emerson or the St.Lawrence. Really, by the time I got through the slow movement and on to the finale, I was throughly convinced that the Hagen were just going through THEIR motions- they just don't seem to be involved in the EMOTIONS underpinning these movements. The Adagio, especially, had none of the angst the music requires. To me, the Hagen, like the Emerson, seem to do better with the more abstract pieces, but, even the Emerson offer more passion than the Hagen. Perfectly executed, yes, but, I'm going to say,... pretentious. Moi?


btw- HAVE THE NEW BORODIN IN MY GRUBBY LITTLE FINGERS. INSERTING NOW,... ASK ME A QUESTION!!??

[Ken B]

INSERTING NOW ... ASK ME A QUESTION

His or her name?