BaL 4.06.11 - Beethoven: String Quartet in E flat, Op. 74 "Harp"

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Harriet Smith with a personal recommendation from the available recordings of Beethoven's Quartet in E flat, op.74, often known as 'The Harp'

Available versions:

Alban Berg Quartet
Alexander Quartet
Amadeus Quartet
Atrium Quartet
Auryn Quartet
Bartok Quartet
Borodin Quartet
Brodsky Quartet
Budapest String Quartet
Capet String Quartet
Cleveland Quartet
Emerson String Quartet
Endellion String Quartet
Engengard Quartet
Gabrioli String Quartet (nla)
Georgian State String Quartet (download)
Guarneri Quartet
Hungarian Quartet
Kodaly Quartet
Janacek Quartet (nla)
Leipziger Streichquartett
Lindsays
Medici String Quartet
Oistrakh, Bondarenko, Terian, Knushevitsky
Orford String Quartet
Oxford String Quartet
Prazak Quartet
Quartetto Italiano
Quatour Sine Nomine
Suske Quartet
Takacs Quartet
Talich Quartet
Tokyo String Quartet
Vegh Quartet
Vermeer Quartet
Vlach Quartet
Wihan Quartet

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Just to get the ball rolling, I've a very high opinion of the Quartetto Italiano version, which I have on LP.

[ardcarp]

I wonder what 'filters' Harriet Smith will use before starting. Can she possibly review all those available versions?

[makropulos]

A few more to add to Eine Alpensinfonie's long list. Some of these are still available, and some of them should be:
Artemis
Ciompi
Delme
Eroica
Hungarian
New Hungarian
Orion
Vlach
Weller

[gurnemanz]

Vegh should surely be in there but may only be in a complete set.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I've added a few of those versions suggested (one of which was already there in the list ), but others don't seem to be available in the UK.

[verismissimo]

It took me a while to get into this so-called Harp quartet. Longer than for others.

Partly, I think the problem was that it's not as "profound" as the Rasoumovskys which precede it, nor the late quartets that follow. And then there was the first recording I had of it - by the Hungarians from 1966. They play it in a rather genteel fashion, and that, coupled with a somewhat dim recording, rather put me off.

What a relief to come again to the life and energy that the Amadeus brings to it.

I've yet to re-listen to the Bartoks and the early Lindsays, the other two that I have. May report back!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It took me a while to get into this so-called Harp quartet. Longer than for others.

You've got my attention. I'm just going to listen to my only CD version (Guarneri Quartet).

[pilamenon]

Partly, I think the problem was that it's not as "profound" as the Rasoumovskys which precede it, nor the late quartets that follow.

Just curious as to why you draw that conclusion, verismissimo. I find most of Beethoven's mature works profound in conception and nature, and whilst the late quartets do indeed reveal their secrets more obliquely, Op 74 is still a mighty impressive quartet with its light and sunny moments. Indeed, for me it's probably the most lovable of the set.

I have versions by the Endellion and Tokyo quartets. The latter are subtler (especially their "harp" effects) and have a more beautiful tone e.g. in the adagio and a gorgeous Harmonia Mundi recording, but the Endellion are wonderfully dramatic in the manic Presto third movement and slightly preferable there.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Partly, I think the problem was that it's not as "profound" as the Rasoumovskys which precede it, nor the late quartets that follow.

Having returned to the work, in anticipation of BaL, I too found this statement a little puzzling, but I suppose "profundity" is very personal thing, even in Beethoven.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

So the Alban Berg Quartet's version came out on top. Quite a convincing review.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Did no-one else listen?

[Don Petter]

I didn't turn on until near the middle, and her rather flat delivery didn't entice me to stay.

[ostuni]

String quartets don't seem to engender as much forum discussion as some other ensembles/genres. Anyway, whatever the sound of her voice, I thought she spoke a lot of sense - certainly I agree with her impressions of both the superslick Emersons and the dreadful Amadeus. And I already have 3 of her favourite recordings (ABQ, Takacs, Lindsays), so it's not an expensive BaL for me...

I still think the Vegh quartet (not currently available?) bring something special to all their Beethoven. Sandor Vegh's intonation is sometimes a bit wayward (as with Peter Cropper, the Lindsays' leader), but nobody could make their pianissimi sound as special as the Veghs. Harriet S mentioned the lack of HIP versions: I have 2, presumably nla: the British Eroica Quartet, and the Italian/French/Dutch Quatuor Turner.

[PatrickOD]

Did no-one else listen?

Yes, I did EA.

I was sorry to hear what I thought was an unkind dismissal of the dear old Amadeus Quartet, and a quite snooty shot at the excellent Emersons. But there you go - ostuni was quite pleased at those remarks.

I must confess that it is some time since I listened to Op 74, but the presenter's remarks got me to play the version by the Takacs, which is on now. The only other version I had was a radio shot of the Chilingirian Quartet which I made years ago, and since the advent of CDs my tapes have had little play.

Much as I admire the ABQ, and the Beethoven Quartets, I'll pass on this one. I had hoped that the Leipzig Quartet would make a 'better' showing, but then there are so many great quartets to choose from, and since the Takacs got an honourable mention I'm happy with my lot.

Sorry, writing this has made me lose sight of the Harp. Back to the Adagio.