Best recording of Beethoven's Op 18 Quartets?

[silvestrione]

I am ashamed to say I don't know these. But it's nice to have some new Beethoven to explore, at age 69!

I heard a young quartet, the Aurea, do the C minor on Monday, and the first movement was terrific, and the return of the second subject, passed round the instruments, moved me to tears.

It's time I had a recording of these. Takacs? They were my first thought.

[umslopogaas]

I have LP versions by the Amadeus, Hungarian and Budapest quartets. Dont know if they have been reissued on CD, but I would be happy with any of them.

[ostuni]

Ooh yes, that luminous C major at that point in the 1st movement's recap - and those lovely 1st vln trills at the top of the texture: one of the many little extras that Beethoven injects for the recap.

The Takacs are good, and would have been my first choice a few years ago - but my current favourites are the Belcea, who achieve the sort of stillness in some of the slow movements (eg 18/1/ii) that I'm very attracted to.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Ooh yes, that luminous C major at that point in the 1st movement's recap - and those lovely 1st vln trills at the top of the texture: one of the many little extras that Beethoven injects for the recap.
The Takacs are good, and would have been my first choice a few years ago - but my current favourites are the Belcea, who achieve the sort of stillness in some of the slow movements (eg 18/1/ii) that I'm very attracted to.

- Takacs and Belcea would be my own choices, along with the Talichs on CALLIOPE. For limited budgets (and for a cheap "extra" set of the Op18s) there's the Quartetto Italiano available "used" (from the reliable zoverstocks) for about £6:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001E356EM

(I'd avoid the Medicis - a set I resold "second-hand" after playing it a couple of times through: even ignoring the intonation problems, the performances are rather dull run-throughs. Better cheap complete Beethoven 4tets are available from the Alban Berg and Tokyo Quartets.)

[Barbirollians]

Mosaiques - HIPP and superb.

[Bryn]

- Takacs and Belcea would be my own choices, along with the Talichs on CALLIOPE. For limited budgets (and for a cheap "extra" set of the Op18s) there's the Quartetto Italiano available "used" (from the reliable zoverstocks) for about £6:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001E356EM

(I'd avoid the Medicis - a set I resold "second-hand" after playing it a couple of times through: even ignoring the intonation problems, the performances are rather dull run-throughs. Better cheap complete Beethoven 4tets are available from the Alban Berg and Tokyo Quartets.)

The old RCA Tokyo set can be had for under £10, including p&p. If you want HIPP, there's the Smithson Quartet (not currently in the catalogue but available) or Quatuor Mosaïques, though I am not that taken with either set. Now if the Eroica Quartet was to record them ...

[pastoralguy]

A bid here for the Hagen Quartet who inject tremendous energy into these works.

[Stanfordian]

For my money the Takács Quartet on Decca wins hands down.

[Beef Oven!]

Takács Quartet on Decca wins hands down.

And lost the rematch to the Mosaiques and Quartetto Italiano

[visualnickmos]

(I'd avoid the Medicis - a set I resold "second-hand" after playing it a couple of times through: even ignoring the intonation problems, the performances are rather dull run-throughs. Better cheap complete Beethoven 4tets are available from the Alban Berg and Tokyo Quartets.)

Medicis: I've had this set for years (charity shop) and I agree with your assessment. It's a shame.... and I have tried to 'like' it.

Alban Berg: Now you're talking! This may be inexpensive (nowadays) but it is a real gem. I love it.

[Stanfordian]

And lost the rematch to the Mosaiques and Quartetto Italiano

Hiya Beefy,

The Mosaiques on period instruments and Quartetto Italiano offer excellent second alternatives to the Takács Quartet which is one of the strongest recommendations I know. But no rematches allowed here!

[Beef Oven!]

Hiya Beefy,

The Mosaiques and Quartetto Italiano offer excellent second alternatives to the Takács Quartet. But no rematches allowed!

[Rolmill]

- Takacs and Belcea would be my own choices, along with the Talichs on CALLIOPE. For limited budgets (and for a cheap "extra" set of the Op18s) there's the Quartetto Italiano available "used" (from the reliable zoverstocks) for about £6:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001E356EM

(I'd avoid the Medicis - a set I resold "second-hand" after playing it a couple of times through: even ignoring the intonation problems, the performances are rather dull run-throughs. Better cheap complete Beethoven 4tets are available from the Alban Berg and Tokyo Quartets.)

Almost identical to my own thoughts! I have the complete sets from the Takacs, Belcea, Talich, Vegh and Berg Quartets and love all of them - I do find myself returning to the Talich most often (for all the quartets, not just Op.18), with the Belceas also outstanding in the Op.18. All except the Takacs have been available at bargain prices within the last year or so.

I too used to have the Medicis in these, but jettisoned them many years ago, after the Talichs showed me how much more life and beauty was to be found in them.

I don't know the Q. Italiano recordings but must investigate.

I would be very interested in a HIPP version, but note Bryn's reservations about the only two I am aware of above - surely a gap in the market?

[teamsaint]

Almost identical to my own thoughts! I have the complete sets from the Takacs, Belcea, Talich, Vegh and Berg Quartets and love all of them - I do find myself returning to the Talich most often (for all the quartets, not just Op.18), with the Belceas also outstanding in the Op.18. All except the Takacs have been available at bargain prices within the last year or so.

I too used to have the Medicis in these, but jettisoned them many years ago, after the Talichs showed me how much more life and beauty was to be found in them.

I don't know the Q. Italiano recordings but must investigate.

I would be very interested in a HIPP version, but note Bryn's reservations about the only two I am aware of above - surely a gap in the market?

The QI set can be heard complete on YouTube.

[verismissimo]

Italians terrific, as are the Lindsays (first time around) and the Bartoks.