Smetana's String Quartets

[Mark]

I don't believe we've ever had a thread on these.

The only recording I have is this one:




This disc (along with a CD of Borodin's String Quartets) was transformative for me. Previously, I'd heard only a few Haydn string quartets, one by Vaughan Williams and the Ravel. I kinda liked the last of these (absolutely love it these days), but in general, I wasn't convinced of the worth of string quartets in general. Then this disc came along, its purchase resulting from hearing the String Quartet No. 1 'From My Life' played on Classic FM's Evening Concert programme as part of a Czech week on the radio station.

No word of a lie, I couldn't sleep after hearing that broadcast (I think they used this very disc). I went out the next day and bought the above. The Borodin String Quartets followed - the result of more radio listening - and the string quartet finally 'clicked' for me.

And so to my point: am I missing out by having only this CD? Is there better to be had? I strongly suspect the answer to be 'yes', so it's over to those of you who know more about these things than I.

[BorisG]

[Que]

I have these quartets played by the Pražák Quartet (Bonton).
But I recently discovered my favourite contemporary Czech string quartet - the Škampa Quartet, so this is on my shopping list!

[asin]B00008UEF8[/asin]
Q

[Mark]

Panocha and Skampa? Stop it, boys - you're spoiling me.

Both can go on the wishlist. Thanks.

[rubio]

These string quartets played by the Smetana Quartet (on Denon) is supposed to be a classic. Anybody heard it?

http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/126292

[carlos]

These string quartets played by the Smetana Quartet (on Denon) is supposed to be a classic. Anybody heard it?

http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/126292

Yes, I have it and, don't think it can be a better version.

[AnthonyAthletic]

The Two String Quartets - Dvorak Romance op.9/Two Waltzes op.54
Lindsay String Quartet on ASV. 



I don't have any other reference recordings but this has served me well. 
Fine playing too from the LSQ

[val]

There is also the version of the Smetana Quartet (EMI) and more recently the version of the Lindsays.

But regarding the First string Quartet, an absolute masterpiece, in my opinion no one reached the extraordinary version of the Janacek Quartet.

[Daverz]

My favorites are the Smetana Quartet on a Crossroads Lp.  I'm not sure which CD issues this corresponds to (I have the Denon below but, ahem, haven't listened to it yet.)  The Stamitz Quartet in a Brilliant Classics box are also excellent and a great bargain.

I found the Skampa too lightweight and gave it away.

[Todd]

(vs
)


A second listen to the Paavel Haas Quartet's new recording.  I decided to do an A/B with the Prazak, my reference for these works.  Before doing that, I did a quick check of my other two recordings: the Panocha, while very fine, are too laid back or autumnal in sound and approach in both works for reference status; the Skampa are too light and ebullient and represent the weakest set in my current collection.  Sounds like cellist Peter Jarusek has adapted his approach with the new ensemble.

Anyway, the Prazak were up first in the First.  Their playing is tense, slightly sharp edged, and quicker overall.  They are more overtly dramatic throughout.  The playing is superb, all members working together flawlessly as one integrated group.  With the Paavel Haas, one gets more of a sense of four individuals.  That's not a criticism; it's a stylistic difference.  The playing is of a very high level.  While the PHQ can and does play with intensity where needed, they also vary approach more, allowing more flexibility in overall feel.  This pays off most in the lovely Largo.  The recording technique also results in a larger sound for the Paavel Haas, which adds a bit of excitement.  It's a tough, close call, but the Prazak retain their primacy.  The heightened drama does it.

In the Second, the Prazak were up first again.  Their approach remains tense, comparatively sharp, and a bit quicker.  It is also very "personal", and quite romantic.  While never close to being light or schmaltzy, it sort of sounds like rural Korngold, if you will, in places, particularly in the second half of the third movement, so rich and dense is the music and playing.  The finale is dashed off with real dramatic flair.  Who says this is not a masterpiece?  Not the Prazak.  The bigger sounding Paavel Haas basically match the drama of the Prazak in most of the Second – and they create the most overwhelming open to the third movement I've heard – and they retain that lovely flexibility, especially in the second movement, but again they must cede primacy to their older countrymen. 

So, the Prazak remain my reference, but the Paavel Haas very nearly match them overall, and give away nothing in terms of playing.  It's a very close run thing.

Sound for the new Paavel Haas disc is top flight – this CD only recording sounds better than the Ragazze Quartet's SACD recording – but it seems a bit processed, with, perhaps, a touch of added reverb and other trickery to yield that sumptuous, large-scale sound.  I'm good with that.

The Paavel Haas Quartet's Smetana is destined to be one of my purchases of the year. 

[The new erato]

Thanks Todd!