Beethoven String Quartets on record

[Barbirollians]

Another vote for the Quartetto Italiano here .

[ostuni]

Having seen a couple of their performances at their recent complete cycle, I'd suggest the new Belcea set, only vols 1 and 2 so far but the rest soon. Excellent recordings too.

The Belcea's set is complete now: unlike many other sets, theirs does the cycle in two 4-disc albums. So far, I'm only about half way through vol 1, but very much like what I've heard. But I'll certainly have a listen to that strongly recommended Borodin version of op132, my favourite one (unless I've just heard op131, in which case that's my favourite, or op130...).

[amateur51]

version of op132, my favourite one (unless I've just heard op131, in which case that's my favourite, or op130...).

Very good, ostuni

[Stanley Stewart]

I have several complete sets on the shelves but this thread has made me realise that the most frequently used are the 8CD set by the Vegh Quartet (Auvidis Valois - V4400) from 1987 and an exquisite recent set by Quatuor Talich, remastered from the original Calliope recordings, (harmonia mundi,LDV121.7).

"A quartet is a conversation among four educated equals."

'Goethe's delightful adage says a great deal about what good taste - and good education - used to mean during the classical era. There's no need mentioning what each educated equal thought of himself!' CD set liner notes.

[gamba]

And another for the Italians !

[Rolmill]

I have the Talich (original Calliope recordings) and Takacs sets: the Takacs are superbly played and well recorded, but I find I return more often to the Talich, which are a little gentler and more intimate in approach. I would also recommend the Petersen Quartet, not a complete set but they made several excellent discs on Capriccio which combine early and late quartets.

[amateur51]

I have the Talich (original Calliope recordings) and Takacs sets: the Takacs are superbly played and well recorded, but I find I return more often to the Talich, which are a little gentler and more intimate in approach. I would also recommend the Petersen Quartet, not a complete set but they made several excellent discs on Capriccio which combine early and late quartets.

Another for the Talich Quartet which I've lived with happily since LP days & now on CDs

[pastoralguy]

As an aside, may I recommend Leonard Betnstein's 'orchestral' version of op. 131 with the Vienna Philharmonic? Ok, it's not what Beethoven intended but it's a great ride!

[verismissimo]

Recently I've been listening to the Kuijken Quartet in the Razumovskys with enormous pleasure.

I bought them when they were recommended on a previous thread. By whom?

[Thropplenoggin]

Recently I've been listening to the Kuijken Quartet in the Razumovskys with enormous pleasure.

I bought them when they were recommended on a previous thread. By whom?

I believe that was me. (Possibly in conjunction with Bryn.) My copy, in immaculate condition, is available for exchange here. (In no way a reflection on its quality - simply culling to acquire works I don't yet own, as opposed to keeping ones I have in triplicate.)

[Bryn]

Re. HIPP, I would strongly recommend the Eroica Quartet CD of Op.74, 95 & 135, if you can find it.

[EdgeleyRob]

What's wrong with the Amadeus Quartet on DG ?
It's the only complete set I have and I rather enjoy it.
Seems to get quite a bad press nowadays.

[jayne lee wilson]

Historical - Busch Quartet.

Classics - Italiano, various Juilliards...

Personal best - Vegh Quartet. Nothing showy, exaggerated or overtly polished, not even the most disciplined - just a warmth, intimacy, real dialogue between the players, and a soul-baring depth.
"Provincial" in the best sense.

If you've heard Sandor Vegh as conductor of Haydn or Mozart in Salzburg, then you'll understand.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What's wrong with the Amadeus Quartet on DG ?
It's the only complete set I have and I rather enjoy it.
Seems to get quite a bad press nowadays.

It was the set I learnt these works from back in the late '70s - so I'm grateful to it. But I never found it really satisfying - and nowadays I'd say there was too much suet in the Viola part to make me want to listen to it again.

The Amadeus and Emersons apart, I wouldn't argue with any of the choices mentioned on this Thread that I know, and I'm grateful for the pointers to versions I haven't heard. My own recommendation would be either the Tallichs or the Takacs: no single version of these works does them justice, but these two very different glimpses of infinity have given me the most satisfaction over the years. (Busch and Budapests are fabulous, too!)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Personal best - Vegh Quartet. Nothing showy, exaggerated or overtly polished, not even the most disciplined - just a warmth, intimacy, real dialogue between the players, and a soul-baring depth.

Oh, yes! The Veghs are superb, too!