BaL 21.01.17 - Beethoven: String Quartet no. 12 in E flat, Op. 127

[ahinton]

or Bond.

(Whatever happened to them?)

http://www.bondquartet.com/

Rather like http://pavaoquartet.com/ only without the same level of playing ability.

I'm not aware that either ensemble has yet added Thirteen Self-Portraits to its repertoire, however...

[vinteuil]

or Bond.

(Whatever happened to them?)

... ah, 'Bond'! With the strapline - "THE BEST-SELLING STRING QUARTET IN THE HISTORY OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY"

[ ... but have they done Beethoven's op 127? :worriedfrownemoticon: ]

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

They merged with the Moneypenny Ensemble.

... with a residency in Basildon.

[ahinton]

... ah, 'Bond'! With the strapline - "THE BEST-SELLING STRING QUARTET IN THE HISTORY OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY"

[ ... but have they done Beethoven's op 127? :worriedfrownemoticon: ]

I'm sure that they haven't, but their website doesn't even display a repertoire list which most quartets' sites do, so who knows what they play?

The Pavão Quartet's another of the crossover kind like the Bond but they do sometimes play more "standard" quartet repertoire, although there's no repertoire list on their site either; however, they must be really, REALLY good because they're featured on an Eric Whitacre album! - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Light-Gold-...=pavao+quartet . Light and Gold, indeed; no doubt it is the former and has earned them (and their management) some of the latter...

Back to the topic, PLEASE!...

[underthecountertenor]

My feelings too. But surely no-one can surpass the Busch in, e.g., the rapt inwardness of the slow movement, and they 'know how it goes', as it were, in, e.g., the recitative-like passage in the third movement

A perfect description, silvestrione. Thank you.

[HighlandDougie]

Somehow, the combination of Stephen Johnson, sublime music and the fact that I already have all four of the recordings on his short list makes the world seem a much better place this Saturday morning. That aside, I really enjoyed this BaL. He wears his learning lightly but he always makes me listen to the music afresh. Well worth hearing.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A very good BaL, I thought, with SJ at his best, absorbed by the Music rather than (as can be his wont) using it as a vehicle to fashion a learnéd turn of phrase.

And a Historic first choice, too - if AMcG does give reviewers Chinese burns until they elect a modern recording, SJ was having none of it; sivestrione, uct and others will be very pleased. I was also greatly impressed with most of the excerpts played from the Busch 4tet (that box has been in my Wish List for far too long) - with the exception of that from the slow movement: the "scoops" between large intervals, and the overt vibrato were not at all what I want to hear. I literally shied away from the radio, so repulsive did I find the effect - no doubt, it sounds more convincing in the context of the whole performance, and when it isn't heard so soon after the same Music played by the Belceas.

That was the recording that immediately grabbed and held my attention, and is the one I'm going to buy - stupidly, I haven't bought their recordings; coming so soon after the Takacs (which is magnificent) I couldn't believe that another set of Beethovens as fine could appear - it must be hype, mustn't it? (After all, I'd heard the Belceas Live twice in Ilkley - we don't get world-beaters in Ilkley!) What a twonk!

Terrific BaL.

[Bryn]

Somehow, the combination of Stephen Johnson, sublime music and the fact that I already have all four of the recordings on his short list makes the world seem a much better place this Saturday morning. That aside, I really enjoyed this BaL. He wears his learning lightly but he always makes me listen to the music afresh. Well worth hearing.

I have to admit I dropped off a few times during the broadcast (late night, or rather early morning). Did SJ discuss the question of Dutton v. Walter re. the Busch transfers? I have both but do marginally prefer the Dutton.

[HighlandDougie]

I have to admit I dropped off a few times during the broadcast (late night, or rather early morning). Did SJ discuss the question of Dutton v. Walter re. the Busch transfers? I have both but do marginally prefer the Dutton.

No - or not that I heard. I suspect that he used the EMI GROC transfers (the extracts sounded very familiar to me, sound-wise). EA will be raging again as AMcG uttered the words, "available as a download", when giving details of the overall recommendation.

[underthecountertenor]

No - or not that I heard. I suspect that he used the EMI GROC transfers (the extracts sounded very familiar to me, sound-wise). EA will be raging again as AMcG uttered the words, "available as a download", when giving details of the overall recommendation.

...whereas I'm raging a bit because, despite the excellent SJ very clearly making Busch his BaL choice, AMcG informed us that it's Belcea that will be played tomorrow.

[Bryn]

No - or not that I heard. I suspect that he used the EMI GROC transfers (the extracts sounded very familiar to me, sound-wise). EA will be raging again as AMcG uttered the words, "available as a download", when giving details of the overall recommendation.

I ought to add that though I have not heard any of them, the Pristine transfers are held by some to be the best of the lot. However, the Pristine site remains down (they are in the process of rebuilding it).

[Richard Tarleton]

I was also greatly impressed with most of the excerpts played from the Busch 4tet (that box has been in my Wish List for far too long) - with the exception of that from the slow movement: the "scoops" between large intervals, and the overt vibrato were not at all what I want to hear. I literally shied away from the radio, so repulsive did I find the effect - no doubt, it sounds more convincing in the context of the whole performance, and when it isn't heard so soon after the same Music played by the Belceas.

That was the recording that immediately grabbed and held my attention, and is the one I'm going to buy - stupidly, I haven't bought their recordings; coming so soon after the Takacs (which is magnificent) I couldn't believe that another set of Beethovens as fine could appear - it must be hype, mustn't it? (After all, I'd heard the Belceas Live twice in Ilkley - we don't get world-beaters in Ilkley!) What a twonk!

Terrific BaL.

My sentiments entirely ferney - I was put off by the scoops, and wowed by the Belceas (I've been enjoying their much-repeated live perfs from Vienna on Sky Arts) - so have ordered the Belceas, to sit alongside my Italians (SJ had nothing but good to say about them). An excellent and absorbing BAL.

Followed, later, by lively chat with the excellent Elin Manahan Thomas - studying the drinks menu indeed . Talking or singing, she's great value.

[Bryn]

[vinteuil]

the Takacs (which is magnificent)

... if people haven't already got the Takacs, and can wait until March

http://amzn.eu/gF9QTfz

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

No - or not that I heard. I suspect that he used the EMI GROC transfers (the extracts sounded very familiar to me, sound-wise). EA will be raging again as AMcG uttered the words, "available as a download", when giving details of the overall recommendation.

Well, perhaps, but I rage more when it isn't generally available at all.