Best recording of Beethoven's Op 18 Quartets?

[Barbirollians]

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 Mosiaques received exceptional reviews when they came out as I recall and I think they are outstanding - I suppose they might be a bot soft edged HIPP for some.

[silvestrione]

I knew I wouldn't get a straightforward answer!

Am inclined to go for Belcea and Quartetto Italiano, and leave the Takacs for now....but the Talich sound good....

[Rolmill]

The Mosiaques received exceptional reviews when they came out as I recall and I think they are outstanding - I suppose they might be a bot soft edged HIPP for some.

Thanks Barbirollians - that's interesting (and I like the idea of soft-edged HIPP!).

[Bryn]

...

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?

My reservation re. the Smiths and Mosaiques recordings are indeed personal, which is why I added links to relevant alternative viewpoints. If you know the Eroica Quartet's recording of the Harp, Serioso and Op. 135, you may hear what I am getting at.

I have no desire to part with my Smithson and Mosaiques sets.

[kea]

Quatuor Turner (Harmonia Mundi)

[gurnemanz]

Italians on LP. Now two staple CD sets: Vegh, as mentioned, and not yet mentioned, Guarneri (second recording - DDD)

[visualnickmos]

The Juilliards haven't been mentioned yet..... I have - alongside the Alban Berg Quartet - their Sony set recorded 1964-1970. Maybe not everybody's cup of tea, but it is quite a committed and lively performance of LvB's SQs.....

[kea]

The Juilliards haven't been mentioned yet..... I have - alongside the Alban Berg Quartet - their Sony set recorded 1964-1970.

Yes, they are excellent as well, not only in Op. 18 (a second choice for me after Turner) but also in possibly the best Op. 59 recordings I know of. Avoid the later set (CBS/Sony) from the 1980s.

I also like Belcea, and those of the Hagen recordings I've heard (although they are generally better in the late quartets, particularly 130/133 and their second 135 on Myrios)

[visualnickmos]

Yes, they are excellent as well, not only in Op. 18 (a second choice for me after Turner) but also in possibly the best Op. 59 recordings I know of. Avoid the later set (CBS/Sony) from the 1980s.

I also like Belcea, and those of the Hagen recordings I've heard (although they are generally better in the late quartets, particularly 130/133 and their second 135 on Myrios)

Thanks for the advice. I think their (Juilliards) Bartok SQs from the same later period are also sometimes judged to be inferior to their earlier recordings....?

[kea]

Usually yes. I have not heard the 1980s Bartók set, but those who have seem to prefer the 1963 (my "desert island" pick) or 1950 recordings, so I've not bothered to look for it.

[visualnickmos]

...the 1980s Bartók set, but those who have seem to prefer the 1963 (my "desert island" pick) or 1950 recordings, so I've not bothered to look for it.

I got this set years ago (MDC Creed Lane sale) and I don't mind it, but my two other sets are the Takacs and the Keller, both of which I rate well above the 80s Juilliards.

[Richard Tarleton]

- Takacs and Belcea would be my own choices

I bought the Belceas (their complete Beethoven SQs, that is) a few months ago, and the Tacacs just the other week. I'm totally in love with the Tacacs recordings - they've been sending me back to the Belceas (excellent too, of course) and the Italians (which I've had for many years) at particular points in an attempt to identify exactly what it is about their versions, but I'm hearing things I haven't heard before. A lot of movement times quite similar (some not - Tacacs take 2nd movement of Op 74 over a minute slower than the Belceas, with revelatory effect IMV) - I suppose it breaks down into the usual things of tone, hearing individual parts in more detail, etc., but they seem to be exactly on my wavelength, or I on theirs.

I'd love to hear your thoughts in a bit more detail ferney if you have a moment - or anybody else! I read Edward Dusinberre's book when it came out, and having heard the recordings shall shortly be reading it again. I haven't seen them live (now slightly different line-up to when the recordings were made) but there's a lovely DVD included in the box set of them playing Op 59 no 1, Haydn The Bird and Schubert D&TM and talking about them.

[richardfinegold]

I'm still partial to the Hungarian Qt., either in stereo or mono

[Beresford]

I also like Belcea, and those of the Hagen recordings I've heard (although they are generally better in the late quartets, particularly 130/133 and their second 135 on Myrios)

How would you describe the Myrios op135? I like the Hagen op131 on DG, but I am still searching for an op135 recording that I can treasure. (But I enjoy hearing almost any live performance!)
I have the Pavel Haas recording (from BBC Music Magazine) of op18/4, serioso, and op135. They show plenty of Czech youthful exuberance - as when I heard them live two years ago.

[jayne lee wilson]

My main listening this week has been the Vegh Quartet's Op.18 set from 1952, via Qobuz HiFi on Music & Arts. Really lovely and I think I prefer it to the familiar 1972 one I have on the Auvidis 1996 CDs. (Warmer, sweeter toned, more intensity and "togetherness" - Sandor Vegh's' own tone was smoother & sweeter back then too.)...

....To the extent that I found (to my delight) a "VG" 2ndhand copy of the 2001 Music & Arts complete LvB Vegh '52 cycle box at one of my favourite sellers and ordered it. Got here today and it really is beautifully presented, and as-new! The sound via Qobuz was beautifully smooth, warm and clear so the discs should be even better. (The same cycle is included in the 2016 Scribendum Vegh Box, but I can't vouch for the sound of that one as it isn't available to stream, or try out anywhere that I can find...)

The Hungarians' 1953 mono set has just been remastered/rereleased too (Erato), also available on Qobuz, so I'll try that soon...