Franck: String Quartet

[visualnickmos]

In the world of the SQ, I wondered where this one stood? Is it worth acquiring, and any recommendations on a commendable version? I ask, because although I enjoy chamber music, my knowledge in terms of "what to look for" is not great. I have examples of chamber music of Schubert, Martinu, Rubbra, etc, etc, etc.
Thanks in advance.

[amateur51]

In the world of the SQ, I wondered where this one stood? Is it worth acquiring, and any recommendations on a commendable version? I ask, because although I enjoy chamber music, my knowledge in terms of "what to look for" is not great. I have examples of chamber music of Schubert, Martinu, Rubbra, etc, etc, etc.
Thanks in advance.

It's a piece that I love but which I haven't heard for yonks because I've mislaid my CD of the recording by The Fitzwilliam Quartet which was re-released a few years back. I still have my copy of the original LP somewhere

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Franck-String-Quartet-Violin-Sonata/dp/B000FIHMGM/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1320769797&sr=1-1

The Amazon 'review' tells you quite a bit about what to expect. All the other recordings that I'd heard just don't come up to the Fitzwilliam's glorious tone and beautiful pacing of the work. It's a bit of a monster at about 50 minutes in length and it is heavily/gloriously chromatic and and very ... French

I do hope that you enjoy your voyage of discovery, visualnickmos!

[vinteuil]

visualnickmos - if you're acquiring a taste for Franck's chamber music, I can very much recommend the Piano Quintet - in its performance by the Schubert Ensemble with William Howard om ASV Gold.

Am51 - many thanks for flagging up the Fitzwm Qtt - I have put in an order...

[Bryn]

Am51 - many thanks for flagging up the Fitzwm Qtt - I have put in an order...

Likewise. I know little of Franck's work, but am happy to trust a51's recommendation of the Fitzwilliams' recording, and you get the well known Violin Sonata too.

[barber olly]

I notice that the Fitzwilliams is out on Autralian eloquence and there is a Naxos by the Fine Arts Quartet (a name I associate with LPs on Saga all those years ago) The Naxos' coupling has Christina Ortiz in the P Quintet. Might be worth a try for not a lot of cash!

[visualnickmos]

Thanks to everyone for your knowledgeable assistance - I'll put the Fitzwilliam on my wish list; I have their Shostakovich SQ set - it is stunning.

[Don Petter]

A great favourite work of mine, and one well worth exploring if you already like the piano quintet. I have recordings by the following quartets:

Academica
Bartholdy
Fitzwilliam
Loewenguth
Parrenin
Pascal
Prague
Prague City
Pro Arte
Raphael

(This thread has prompted me to listen to the Parrenin, which I've always had a soft spot for, and which is playing right now.)

I see that MDT lists further current recordings by these quartets:

Petersen
Fine Arts
Ysaye
Spiegel
Gewandhaus
Vilnius
Dante

So it's not exactly under-represented. Do give it a hearing!

[Parry1912]

. . . there is a Naxos by the Fine Arts Quartet (a name I associate with LPs on Saga all those years ago) The Naxos' coupling has Christina Ortiz in the P Quintet. Might be worth a try for not a lot of cash!

I can recommend this. Excellent performances of two great chamber works.