Beethoven String Quartets on record

[Tony Halstead]

I heard them 20 years or so ago playing Beethoven in New York... and left at the interval, for exactly the reasons you articulate, rfg.

At the time I was deeply in thrall to the Lindsays, who might be accused of various things, but not of lack of emotional connection with the music.

Now, long after their retiring from the scene, I'm bowled over by the playing of Brooklyn Rider, whose only Beethoven recording to date (I think) is their stunning Op 131. Have you heard them?

I too am 'bowled over' by that recording. In fact I started a thread on Brooklyn Rider a few weeks ago but it now seems dormant.

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?11095-Brooklyn-Rider-String-Quartet&p=397262#post397262

[richardfinegold]

I heard them 20 years or so ago playing Beethoven in New York... and left at the interval, for exactly the reasons you articulate, rfg.

At the time I was deeply in thrall to the Lindsays, who might be accused of various things, but not of lack of emotional connection with the music.

Now, long after their retiring from the scene, I'm bowled over by the playing of Brooklyn Rider, whose only Beethoven recording to date (I think) is their stunning Op 131. Have you heard them?

I've read some positive reviews, but not had the pleasure

[verismissimo]

I've read some positive reviews, but not had the pleasure

Amongst other things, they are low on vibrato, play in tune and use portamento from bar 1. As, I imagine, the Joachim Quartet were.

[Bryn]

Don't let my comment re. the resonant acoustic put you off. It's just that some people are rather picky about such things. I rather like the ambiance.

[Sir Velo]

Blimey! You really don't like 'em! I myself am keen to try out the Quartetto Italiano's set - it seems to be generally held up as a benchmark.....

I'd agree. Their's is the set I return to most often. Tempi can be less frenetic than some ensembles, but somehow it always seems to be right on its own terms. No question that the performances of Op131 and 132 (the two most olympian in a range of lofty himalayan peaks) extract every possible nuance of human emotion, as well as being spectacularly well articulated, and recorded considering the late 1960s vintage sound.

Would certainly enjoy hearing HIPP versions of these works, if only to hear what musicians of LvB's time were put through!

[visualnickmos]

I'd agree. Their's is the set I return to most often. Tempi can be less frenetic than some ensembles, but somehow it always seems to be right on its own terms. No question that the performances of Op131 and 132 (the two most olympian in a range of lofty himalayan peaks) extract every possible nuance of human emotion, as well as being spectactulary well articulated, and recorded considering the late 1960s vintage sound.

Would certainly enjoy hearing HIPP versions of these works, if only to hear what musicians of LvB's time were put through!

Sir Velo - are you referring to the Quartet Italiano, or the Alban Berg, who were the principal subject of my original post?

[Don Petter]

Sir Velo - are you referring to the Quartet Italiano, or the Alban Berg, who were the principal subject of my original post?

I'd assumed SV meant the QI, but it would be good to clarify.

[visualnickmos]

I'd assumed SV meant the QI, but it would be good to clarify.

That's what I thought as well, but yes - clarification would be good.

[Sir Velo]

Given there was only one quartet named in my post I thought it was fairly unambiguous; but, yes, I was referring to the Italian quartet. The reference to recording dates was a further clue, should any residual doubt have lingered.

[richardfinegold]

I'd agree. Their's is the set I return to most often. Tempi can be less frenetic than some ensembles, but somehow it always seems to be right on its own terms. No question that the performances of Op131 and 132 (the two most olympian in a range of lofty himalayan peaks) extract every possible nuance of human emotion, as well as being spectactulary well articulated, and recorded considering the late 1960s vintage sound.

Would certainly enjoy hearing HIPP versions of these works, if only to hear what musicians of LvB's time were put through!

The QI set indeed was cited as a benchmark version for many years. I owned the set on lp, and while it certainly is well played, I always thought it was overvalued. I always preferred the Hungarians, who seemed more soulful, or the Cleveland, Tokyo, juliard, or Guarneris, to the neat and tidy Italians.

[Beef Oven!]

My first exposure to LvB's quartets was the GF, played by a quartet that I cannot remember the name of.

Wasn't until a few years later that I explored further - the late quartets by the Quartetto Italiano - marvellous stuff!

Recently, I bought the complete cycle by the Emersons - a band that are not popular on here!

I love the Emersons, really enjoy their late Schubert on DG, too.

Not sure how to explain it, but their playing is grittier? edgier? than others. It's that type of emotional connection with certain musics, that floats my boat.

[Dave2002]

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/emerson-string-quartet-81354

I think it was the Emerson Quartet I might have heard a few years ago with Menahem Pressler at the RFH.

Not sure - for while I wondered if it was the Cleveland - but they gave up years ago. There was another quartet which disbanded fairly recently - not the Lindsays -
but another one from abroad, and I can't remember which one it was.

Indeed it was the Emersons - and how time flies - 2010 - http://www.emersonquartet.com/artist...=news&nid=1442
Pressler was amazing.

[amateur51]

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/wha...-quartet-81354

It was quite a surprise when I clicked on this link - there was Paul Watkins as cellist!

Apparently I'm way behind the times, as he joined the Emerson Quartet in April of 2013.

Does anyone plan to go? Plenty of tickets left at this stage, not surprisingly, but things could get tight nearer to November.

[Beef Oven!]

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/wha...-quartet-81354

I think it was the Emerson Quartet I might have heard a few years ago with Menahem Pressler at the RFH.
Not sure - for while I wondered if it was the Cleveland - but they gave up years ago. There was another quartet which disbanded fairly recently - not the Lindsays -
but another one from abroad, and I can't remember which one it was.

Many thanks indeed Dave2002

I have booked my ticket in the front stalls, which seem to be filling up already- very excited!!!!!!!!!

[Dave2002]

I too am 'bowled over' by that recording. In fact I started a thread on Brooklyn Rider a few weeks ago but it now seems dormant.
http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...262#post397262

Very good quartet. Just don't mention Nigeria to their viola player. I hope they come back to these shores again.