Shostakovich String Quartets

[snyprrr]

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!!??

This new Borodin is... very good! 0:)

Op.49 and Op.142 are mighty contenders here, and Op.110 has a lot going for it, though it doesn't displace my favoured Sorrel. The sound is unlike any other Cycle- very brightly lit, up close, nice little atmosphere in the background, lots of wood tones and excitement in the instruments- it's classic Major Label Sound. The playing is mighty tight-- miiighty tight- lots of that old Borodin "passion" in evidence in the slow movement to 14, but, these cats are of the New School.

ask me a question...



Op.142 is special.

Op.49 is bracing.

[snyprrr]

It's Over 0:)

[George]

This new Borodin is... very good! 0:)

Op.49 and Op.142 are mighty contenders here, and Op.110 has a lot going for it, though it doesn't displace my favoured Sorrel. The sound is unlike any other Cycle- very brightly lit, up close, nice little atmosphere in the background, lots of wood tones and excitement in the instruments- it's classic Major Label Sound. The playing is mighty tight-- miiighty tight- lots of that old Borodin "passion" in evidence in the slow movement to 14, but, these cats are of the New School.

ask me a question..

DO you have a link to the new Borodin?

[Karl Henning]

It's Over 0:)

Says you!

[Mandryka]

Passionate and opinionated and perceptive series of reviews here by someone who calles himself 21st century reviewer

http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/AF29MB5HNYL3W/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp

[jlaurson]

DO you have a link to the new Borodin?

Voila. Only one volume out, so far.

[George]

Voila. Only one volume out, so far.

Thanks!

[snyprrr]

1) Well, sooomeone got that Taneyev/Aulos set from Ebay for @$130.00,... a bit rich for my tastes,... yes, I did partake in the bloodbath, but, thankfully, I was spared the colonoscopy(?). I'd rather just get a few of the old Melodiyas, but, the Taneyev are extrememly elusive. WHO WILL RE-ISSUE??

2) I found a VERY VERY GOOD OP.110- the Jerusalem SQ on that BBC disc (NOT the HarmoniaMundi set). Wow- this reading goes very far into Sorrel territory, and may be one of the best 8ths ever. Seriously, folks, for fifty cents you might want to check it out- they really deliver a super heartfelt performance- I just had a feeling here, and I have to shout it out- GET THIS DISC!!

3) I have been looking at anything potentially interesting, but I'm just not "feeling" anything of the leftovers. The Pacifica-Mandelring (Rubio, Debussy, Danel, Rasumowsky, Alexander, etc.,...) grouping is really just not enticing me at all- the new Borodin2015 seems to have taken care of that entire cabal. I'd go for either the Taneyev or Beethoven if they were more available... $$$...

4) I HEAR THAT the newest remastering of the Borodin/EMI set, on Melodiya, the 'Bovine' set, has TOTALLY CLEARED UP THE OLD RECORDINGS and the sound (say, on No.5) is totally free of the harshness of some of the older issues (whether the EMI or BMG incarnations). CAN ANYONE CONFIRM THE SOUND QUALITY? I would have to trade in all the old Borodin for this set if this is so. PLEASE CONFIRM!!


I can't believe I haven't burned out on these yet!

[snyprrr]

Voila. Only one volume out, so far.

Congratulations on Posting #666!!

[Jo498]

Do you mean this one, or is there a newer one? I got the one below some time ago when it first came out but I only had one disc (8,9,10) of the separate (blueish with DSCH photo) earlier discs and do not remember anything about differences in sound quality. I think the earlier recordings (with some different personnel) on Chandos (1-13) have a "warmer" sound (even if the sound quality per se is inferior) but this might also be different playing style.

[asin]B000HXE5BK[/asin]

[jlaurson]

Do you mean this one, or is there a newer one? I got the one below some time ago when it first came out but I only had one disc (8,9,10) of the separate (blueish with DSCH photo) earlier discs and do not remember anything about differences in sound quality. I think the earlier recordings (with some different personnel) on Chandos (1-13) have a "warmer" sound (even if the sound quality per se is inferior) but this might also be different playing style.

A new -- brand new! -- one, indeed. Today's version of that Quartet have just started a new, third (3 1/2?) cycle for Decca.

[Jo498]

I actually tried to clarify point 4) of snyprrr's #668 about remasterings of the 70s/80s Borodin.

I saw the new disc with the new setup but I already have too many recordings of this music, so I'll pass for now.

[snyprrr]

I actually tried to clarify point 4) of snyprrr's #668 about remasterings of the 70s/80s Borodin.

I saw the new disc with the new setup but I already have too many recordings of this music, so I'll pass for now.

Yes,... no,... I DID mean that OLD EMI-Borodin, as you said. And you're saying you don't hear much if any difference? No.8 was recorded in 1978- No.9 is 'live', and No.10 is 1981, I believe.

From what I'm understanding, there should be a much better sound in that 'Bovine' set than either the 8-10 BMG, or the old EMI discs. I have No.10 in both BMG and EMI, and BMG simply has a slightly more aired-out expanse in the upper ranges, though nothing absolutely dramatic.

[snyprrr]

Finally picked up the Fitzwilliam from the Library. Guess I'll be going through it 1,2,3,4.... if anyone else cares to join?

[Jo498]

Yes,... no,... I DID mean that OLD EMI-Borodin, as you said. And you're saying you don't hear much if any difference? No.8 was recorded in 1978- No.9 is 'live', and No.10 is 1981, I believe.

From what I'm understanding, there should be a much better sound in that 'Bovine' set than either the 8-10 BMG, or the old EMI discs. I have No.10 in both BMG and EMI, and BMG simply has a slightly more aired-out expanse in the upper ranges, though nothing absolutely dramatic.

Unfortunately I can't help you with more details because I got the yellow "bovine" (I swear I never had noticed that cow!) set years ago and quickly gave away the BMG disc of 8-10. But I do not remember dramatic sound differences. But it's perfectly possible that the "bovine" set is considerably better. Anyway, as the BMG singles were not readily available back then, the bovine set was the obvious option to go for.

[snyprrr]

Nos. 3, 6, 8, & 10 (Manhattan SQ; Centaur 1986)


Not many people know that the Manhattan SQ recorded these for works much earlier than their ESS.A.Y recordings of 1990. But, these two Centaur CDs show how consistent the Manhattan's sound was. Someone said that if the Hollywood SQ had recorded DSCH, they would sound like the Manhattan. Well, I have to agree. No.6 has the lushest, most friendly countenance I've heard (Centaur), and their No.10 seems to give nothing away to anyone else.

These Centaur recordings sound to me like those sumptuous Telarc recordings, or, Dorian or Delos. Surely, at the time, they represented the best recordings of these pieces- very studio-but-with-ambience. And, corporately, they have quite a silky sound.

I know many have caveats concerning the Manhattan, but, i still find that they deliver much- especially, say, in No.6, which doesn't really need that 'Russian' thing as much as earlier works. I'd say they remind me of the Cleveland SQ in the way that they are presented so lushly.

Anyhow, these Centaur CDs are impossible to find- snagged one on Ebay, the other at the city library- they are not on Amazon at all, as far as I know.



3 & 8, on the other CD, compare very favourably to the later recordings. No.8 has a lot of good things going for it, though, the one on ESS.A.Y. has an extra creepy feel due to the recording.

Unfortunately I can't help you with more details because I got the yellow "bovine" (I swear I never had noticed that cow!) set years ago and quickly gave away the BMG disc of 8-10. But I do not remember dramatic sound differences. But it's perfectly possible that the "bovine" set is considerably better. Anyway, as the BMG singles were not readily available back then, the bovine set was the obvious option to go for.

check

[jlaurson]

Unfortunately I can't help you with more details because I got the yellow "bovine" (I swear I never had noticed that cow!) set years ago and quickly gave away the BMG disc of 8-10. But I do not remember dramatic sound differences. But it's perfectly possible that the "bovine" set is considerably better. Anyway, as the BMG singles were not readily available back then, the bovine set was the obvious option to go for.

Where T.F. did that cow come from? Holy cow... that jumped at me now, never having noticed it before, either.

I wonder, however, if I could ...milk a few more puns out of its presence.

[Brahmsian]

Finally picked up the Fitzwilliam from the Library. Guess I'll be going through it 1,2,3,4.... if anyone else cares to join?

I'm in.   

[Pat B]

(I swear I never had noticed that cow!)

Sometimes the cow is hard for me to see, even when I'm looking for it. Darth Vader's helmet in the background, though...

[snyprrr]

I'm in.   

I'm on CD1, with Nos.1-2. First impressions: ardent, opulent, with a 'classic' '70s sounding recording that sounds quite unique- it's a touch distant, but comes alive in fortes. And the playing is very masculine and 'old world', without an 'slavic' overtones, just dark/light, tight,....

Op.68 first. Frankly, this is one of the very best performances, and benefits greatly from the ample acoustic. The 'Waltz', especially, sounded so tight, yet lilting, not as aggressive as others (i.e 'loud'). The 'Overture' was wonderfully vigorous. I hit the 'Winner' buzzer early on here with Op.68. Score 1 for the Fittzies.

Op.49 I had heard on YouTube, and, I felt at the time that the 1st was a bit slow. Today, it was still slow, but, taken in context, it just sounded 'old fashioned', and the English countryside came into view. I haven't finished Op.49, but, might skip to SQ No.6 before I hit 3-5.



I was taken aback a bit, hearing, really, the Fittzies for the first time. They are obviously of a different time than the groups performing today, and, if you had told me these were the Borodin, I would have said, ok, sounds fine! They seem to put the Borodin/EMI-era more into focus for me. I think that being from the '70s makes aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall the difference here, so far. There is just a 'Classic' feel.