BaL 10.01.15 - Dvorak: String Quartet no. 12 "American"

[mikealdren]

I have so many versions, because it frequently comes as a filler on String Quartet discs.

I was surprised to find how many versions I have, probably due to Richard's reason:
Endellion
Keller
Janacek
Prague
Bochmann
Gabrieli
Hollywood
Guarneri

I particularly like the Keller (with a very good version of the 2 viola quintet) which I bought after hearing it on CD review some years ago.

Mike

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I particularly like the Keller (with a very good version of the 2 viola quintet) which I bought after hearing it on CD review some years ago.

I don't know this recording, but this is a particularly good choice of coupling; that Quintet Op 97 is a superb work, written more-or-less at the same time as the Op96 Quartet and displaying the same virtues.

[mikealdren]

Yes the quintet is a very good work and the coupling on Warner Apex is a bargain.

Mike

[Karafan]

No takers for the Panocha?

K

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The Radio 3 website suggests that the composer wrote only one string quartet:

"Robert Philip compares recordings of Dvorak's much-loved String Quartet known as the American Quartet…."

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Have a listen. Good, intelligent criticism.

[mikealdren]

An an excellent final choice!

Mike

[verismissimo]

An an excellent final choice!

Mike

Well picked, Mr Aldren.

[DoctorT]

It struck me listening to this that the American Quartet is such wonderful music that it's hard to spoil it. All the versions illustrated this morning had their merits. With the Lindsay, Guarneri and Pavel Haas on my shelves I think I have enough versions. I seem to remember first hearing the American Quartet on an LP owned by my late father played by the Gabreili Quartet. Anyone else remember it?

[LeMartinPecheur]

The Radio 3 website suggests that the composer wrote only one string quartet:

"Robert Philip compares recordings of Dvorak's much-loved String Quartet known as the American Quartet…."

EA: one for Pedants' Paradise perhaps? I see your point, but also that arguably there is only one "much-loved String Quartet known as the American Quartet" that was written by Dvorak!

[aeolium]

It struck me listening to this that the American Quartet is such wonderful music that it's hard to spoil it. All the versions illustrated this morning had their merits. With the Lindsay, Guarneri and Pavel Haas on my shelves I think I have enough versions. I seem to remember first hearing the American Quartet on an LP owned by my late father played by the Gabreili Quartet. Anyone else remember it?

I agree, DoctorT. There was not a single extract played this morning that I disliked, even though it was a well-argued review. It was a shame that Mr Philip did not seem especially interested in historic versions (AFAIR) and we heard nothing from the Griller or the Hollywood - perhaps the Janacek or the Amadeus was the oldest recording sampled.

[Don Petter]

I agree, DoctorT. There was not a single extract played this morning that I disliked, even though it was a well-argued review. It was a shame that Mr Philip did not seem especially interested in historic versions (AFAIR) and we heard nothing from the Griller or the Hollywood - perhaps the Janacek or the Amadeus was the oldest recording sampled.

The only one I didn't like was the Emerson, which sounded scrawny and rushed to me.

I, too, would have liked to have heard what he thought of the Griller and Hollywood.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

An an excellent final choice!

Mike

It was! - As others have said here, the work is practically indestructible, but the excerpts from the Kellers were the ones that leapt out and called to me. And another budget release, too!

EDIT: Just ordered (the first time I've bought a CD based on a BaL recommendation in yonks!) - and with that coupling, too: I almost feel that I owe Mike an apology for doubting his word!

[LeMartinPecheur]

I think the Wihans got a brief dismissal early on in the programme, before I'd realised this disc is on my shelves - probably a purchase from the artists after a concert. Can anyone recall why they were dismissed?

More generally, I don't have all the Dvorak 4tets and have wondered about the Prague DGG box or the cheapo (Brilliant?) box. Or completing my Naxos Vlach set. How do they compare?

FWIW my current run of these works is
#3 D maj B18 - Vlach Naxos - not sure I'll ever play it again: terrible work, about as bad as his 1st Symph.
#8 E maj B57 'Op80' - Vlach Naxos
#11 C maj B121 Op61 _ Wihan Nimbus, Vlach Naxos, Smetana
#12 F maj B179 Op96 - Wihan Nimbus, Vlach Naxos, Griller Dutton and Smetana (old Supraphon recording issued as HMV ASD LP c/w a superb IMHO pf 5tet with Stepan)
#13 Ab maj B192 op105 Gabrieli on LP plus a ? artists' own CD of the Herold
#14 G maj B193 Op106 Prague 4tet on DG LP

I suppose the first big Q is whether any of my missing ones is really worth the candle - after enduring #3 once I need reassurance about B-no's below 100 say!

Incidentally, and maybe a tad OT, I was pleased to hear the Guarneris getting a very favourable mention. I never got into them on LP except as very fine accompanists to Rubinstein, including the Dvorak pf 4tet, but lately have felt I really ought to explore tham more thoroughly after being hugely impressed by their late Schuberts reissued on Newton, to the extent of 'counterbalancing' the one review on Amazon which said they were rubbish.
Shall I start a Guarneri thread??

[mikealdren]

Hi LmP,
I've had the Prague version for years (I got several of the LPs when they were released) and I love it. The sound is still ok and I've never heard Op 105 and 106 better.
Mike