Schubert's String Quartets

George · May 17, 2024, 12:30:34 PM

Quote from: Todd on July 12, 2020, 05:53:39 PMNever having bought a complete Schubert String Quartet set, I dug around a little. Ten sets have been recorded based on what I can find, though perhaps - and hopefully - there are more:

Vienna Konzerthaus (Westminster)
Endres (Vox)
Tanayev (Melodiya)
Melos (DG)
Vienna (Camerata)
Auryn (CPO)
Leipzig (MDG)
Kodaly (Naxos)
Verdi (Haenssler)
Diogenes (Brilliant)

They vary a bit in number of quartets recorded. The Tanayev is available as a $5 download at Qobuz. I did stream the Diogenes and it was quite good, but I should probably buy one or two or three, starting with the Auryn.

Did you (or anyone else here) end up buying the Diogenes set, Todd?

Todd · May 17, 2024, 12:38:57 PM

Quote from: George on May 17, 2024, 12:30:34 PMDid you (or anyone else here) end up buying the Diogenes set, Todd?

I did not. I did stream it, and it is very good. I bought the Auryn, and it is notably better. It sated my desire for complete cycle purchases for a while.

George · May 17, 2024, 01:04:54 PM

Quote from: Todd on May 17, 2024, 12:38:57 PMI did not. I did stream it, and it is very good. I bought the Auryn, and it is notably better. It sated my desire for complete cycle purchases for a while.

OK, thanks. Can you say what you preferred about the Auryn?

Todd · May 17, 2024, 01:42:34 PM

Quote from: George on May 17, 2024, 01:04:54 PMOK, thanks. Can you say what you preferred about the Auryn?

Superior execution overall, with the early quartets sounding more serious or rigorous (though only marginally), and the late masterpieces by the Auryn are more or less comparable to any version. Plus, I prefer the recorded sound. The Diogenes are not at all bad, but the Auryn strike me as more accomplished overall.

Jo498 · May 17, 2024, 11:59:45 PM

The Auryn Schubert series, despite on cpo was recorded by the TACET engineer Andreas Spreer, he really is a master.
I don't sufficiently care about early Schubert to get another set but years ago I got the Taneyev as a download. That one is probably the most "serious" of the early pieces and a worthy alternative (but not in great sound as to be expected).

DavidW · May 18, 2024, 06:29:50 AM

I know that wasn't the question but I prefer Melos and Leipzig because they bring passion to the early quartets and don't make them sound like bland exercises.

Unpopular opinion: I think the Auryn set is a misfire. It is just drab. I remember waiting for so long to receive the cd set from Germany that I gave up and bought the Melos Q set (which is easily available)... and by the time Auryn arrived I was so disappointed that it didn't sound nearly as good as the Melos set. And then a few years later I streamed Leipzig, and those were all stellar (as seemingly everything they do is).

Leo K. · May 18, 2024, 08:39:20 AM

I am very impressed with the Diogenes set as I am fascinated by the early quartets and these are played masterfully with great tone. For a few years now I've been coming back to the early quartets, they have really grown on me in my older age.

George · May 18, 2024, 09:13:08 AM

Quote from: DavidW on May 18, 2024, 06:29:50 AMI know that wasn't the question but I prefer Melos and Leipzig because they bring passion to the early quartets and don't make them sound like bland exercises.

Thanks David. I found a used copy of the Melos DG set on amazon for only $16. It arrives tomorrow!