Dvorak's String Quartets

[Mark]

It dawned on me this morning that not only do I not own a single one of these works, I've also never even HEARD any of them.

So, my eye was caught by the following (advice on which to get would be most welcome):









Thanks in advance.

[Todd]

Panocha.  Best sound, best performances.

[SonicMan46]

Mark - I have six of the last ones he wrote (14 in all) on 3 CDs w/ three different groups; and I've not heard the earlier ones at all, so will be quite interested in the responses for a 'complete' set, which I would also like to acquire - Dave 

[Mark]

Panocha.  Best sound, best performances.

Instinct had already led me to add it provisionally to the wishlist. Thanks for confirming a hunch.

[Lethevich]

I have the Prager AND the Panocha sets (god knows why ) and can confirm that the Panocha both sound better, and I tend to listen to more often. The Prager is a very solid set though.

A full Dvořák SQ set will repay the investment many times over. The later ones are justly famous, but ALL of the early ones are superb. The very first ones aren't as weak as, say, his first few symphonies, and after a few quartets, he really picked it up. The middle numbers (around numbers 5-10 or so) contain some real undiscovered gems.

Edit: This is making me want to listen to them again Now playing the disc with nos. 6 & 7 (Prager).

[hornteacher]

It dawned on me this morning that not only do I not own a single one of these works, I've also never even HEARD any of them.

My friend you are in for a real treat, especially with the last six (#s 9-14).

[SonicMan46]

Just received the box set below w/ the Panocha Quartet - seems to have been the 'top' recommendation so far! I've just listened to the first two discs - SQs not heard before for me - superb playing & great sound - this should be the 'start' of a wonderful experience - 

[hornteacher]

Just received the box set below w/ the Panocha Quartet - seems to have been the 'top' recommendation so far! I've just listened to the first two discs - SQs not heard before for me - superb playing & great sound - this should be the 'start' of a wonderful experience - 

Just curious.  Did the set come as loose CDs in a box or in a thick jewel case?

[George]

Just received the box set below w/ the Panocha Quartet - seems to have been the 'top' recommendation so far! I've just listened to the first two discs - SQs not heard before for me - superb playing & great sound - this should be the 'start' of a wonderful experience - 

Amazon doesn't have this. Where'd you get it, Dave?

[dtwilbanks]

Dvorak wrote 14 of these? Holy mackerel! 

So many recordings... 

[Don]

Amazon doesn't have this. Where'd you get it, Dave?

Can't speak for Dave, but I got mine from ArkivMusic - it's still in stock.

[George]

Can't speak for Dave, but I got mine from ArkivMusic - it's still in stock.

Thanks Don. 

[DavidW]

And I got mine as a subset of the complete set from either amazon or overstock (can't recall now).  So it should be easily available.

[SonicMan46]

Can't speak for Dave, but I got mine from ArkivMusic - it's still in stock.

George & Hornteacher - like Don, I bought mine from ArkivMusic - not cheap, but 8 CDs, each in a separate cardboard folder, so a small box - for me about $5 a disc, but the music is really outstanding, playing superb, and the recording is of 'demonstration' quality, esp. w/ the volume up!  Listen to 2 others last night! 

[George]

George & Hornteacher - like Don, I bought mine from ArkivMusic - not cheap, but 8 CDs, each in a separate cardboard folder, so a small box - for me about $5 a disc, but the music is really outstanding, playing superb, and the recording is of 'demonstration' quality, esp. w/ the volume up!  Listen to 2 others last night! 

Thanks Dave. 

[Lethevich]

Just curious.  Did the set come as loose CDs in a box or in a thick jewel case?

It's the usual space-saving card box with sleves. I can understand your concern - Supraphon is notorious for using enormous double CD cases just to hold two CDs...

Edit: Bugger, SonicMan already answered. I didn't see, as your question wasn't quoted in the post.

[Que]

If I may dampen the Panocha Quartet euphoria a bit....

I got some time ago in a bargain the earlier huge box set on Supraphon, containing all of Dvorak's chamber music for three or more instruments.

And yes, the string quartets by the Panocha Quartet are good and beautifully recorded.
But...they play in a very modern "objective" style, which is not entirely to my taste. I miss some sensuality and emotional involvement (not to be mistaken for "thick", brooding, 20th century styled "Romanticism"). Anyway, this is a bit charmless.

I read some comments on the net that the Stamitz Quartet on Brilliant is to be preferred?

Q

[Mark]

If I may dampen the Panocha Quartet euphoria a bit....

I got some time ago in a bargain the earlier huge box set on Supraphon, containing all of Dvorak's chamber music for three or more instruments.

And yes, the string quartets by the Panocha Quartet are good and beautifully recorded.
But...they play in a very modern "objective" style, which is not entirely to my taste. I miss some sensuality and emotional involvement (not to be mistaken for "thick", brooding, 20th century styled "Romanticism"). Anyway, this is a bit charmless.

I read some comments on the net that the Stamitz Quartet on Brilliant is to be preferred?

Q

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll leave it a bit longer before I make my purchase.

[Todd]

Anyway, this is a bit charmless.

I read some comments on the net that the Stamitz Quartet on Brilliant is to be preferred?

Must disagree on both counts.

[Bonehelm]

dvorak quartets are amazingly charming...I mostly like his piano quintets/quartets, though. be sure to check them out on Naxos if you have the time/money.