BaL 17.02.18 - Haydn: String Quartet in G minor (Op 20 No 3)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

HIPP sound unduly amplified can sound disagreeable.

Almost anything that's close-miked sounds disagreeable.

[Bergonzi]

Almost anything that's close-miked sounds disagreeable.

Depends on the instrument and how close "close miked" actually is.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Depends on the instrument and how close "close miked" actually is.

Close enough to sound oppressive, and to destroy the natural balance of the concert hall/recital room, etc.
Close enough to sound as though the recording engineer knows more than the musicians.

[rauschwerk]

It's not purely a matter of close miking. If I play a recording so that it sounds louder than in the recording studio, my ears will boost low frequencies and frequencies around 3 kHz more than other sounds, thus affecting tonal quality (See 'equal loudness contour'). The only clue I have to the actual volume of the Chiaroscuro Quartet is in one of the reviews, which describes their sound as 'featherweight'. I hear this in mind when I set the volume control. Perhaps one needs to remember that,as far as we know, string quartets were not performed in public when Haydn wrote Op.20.

[richardfinegold]

Yes, I thought it was very well done, with much good practice that others could learn from.

I thought the final choice was horrible though. Just the sort of playing to give credence to those who say "I don't like the violin."

The winner arrived in the mail yesterday. I found it fascinating but I also find Alpie’s Comment to be relevant.
The first thing one notices is the fantastic recording quality. This is one of the best DSD recordings I have ever encountered. There is a real “reach out and touch them” feeling that the players were sitting a few rows in front of me in an intimate Concert Hall.
The second thing one notices is the appropriate name of the Quartet. There was plenty of light and shade on display here, particularly with the viola and cellist. One becomes aware of just how much meaning the music gains from the players simply modulating their dynamics—From conversing in whispers, to side conversations when the first Violin is expostulating, to everyone rising together in unison—wonderful stuff.
And finally, there is the sour tone of the gut strings, most prominent in the first Violin and most on display when the music gets loudest. It’s like encountering a bit of vinegar in a familiar recipe.
Still, very enjoyable. I will be ordering the Op.20 4-6 disc

[verismissimo]

... And finally, there is the sour tone of the gut strings, most prominent in the first Violin and most on display when the music gets loudest. It’s like encountering a bit of vinegar in a familiar recipe ....

And not just the gut strings, rfg. Also the dramatic reduction in vibrato. When I grew up, vibrato was constant and ubiquitous in string playing, so one got used to (and expected) a warm tone. For me it was a matter of experience over time to get used to the more historically informed sound.

[vinteuil]

When I grew up, vibrato was constant and ubiquitous in string playing...

... and what a relief it is to finally have got rid of that smear blurring the notes!

.

[Bryn]

... and what a relief it is to finally have got rid of that smear blurring the notes!

.

I was fortunate in having encountered vibrato free quartet playing some years prior to the emergence of the modern HIPP movement. Good old John Cage's String Quartet in Four Parts was my introduction.

[verismissimo]

... I started on the Mosaïques and the London Haydn Quartet, but feel like the new Chiaroscuro (in this quartet in particular) has a visionary and expressive quality that can make the other two sound a little safe.

Thanks to kea and others for flagging up the Chiaroscuros. Lobbed in today. Magnificent playing and recording.

[Bergonzi]

Listened today on iPlayer and was mightily unimpressed.

[Mal]

I am heartened by the comments about Kodaly! I have all the Haydn string quartets with the Kodaly and love them and I don't intend to buy any others. Did they get a mention? Unfortunately unexpected visitors meant I had to turn off the radio so missed almost the whole programme. I was so looking forward to hearing it, but it's always nice to see friends - well, most of the time anyway.

One brief, positive, mention, and a brief play. You can listen again on the website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05yhslw

[Bergonzi]

I don't even like vinegar on chips ...

[Bergonzi]

I really like the Kodaly Quartet on Naxos, but I think I only have them on Op.71 (Nos 1-3). Full gutsy playing, and a great sound, very well recorded. Not at all anaemic, like some.

[visualnickmos]

I really like the Kodaly Quartet on Naxos, but I think I only have them on Op.71 (Nos 1-3). Full gutsy playing, and a great sound, very well recorded. Not at all anaemic, like some.

Glad to see someone else liking the Kodaly Quartets in Haydn - especially after the pouring on of cold water by the reviewer! I think your description
"Full gutsy playing, and a great sound, very well recorded. Not at all anaemic, like some" is perfect. I think we, as listeners, are equally entitled to pour cold water on some of the reviewer's preferences, too! I thought some of them sounded weak and lacking in body - cheap wine, by comparison with a full, rich Bordeaux...

[Bergonzi]

Glad to see someone else liking the Kodaly Quartets in Haydn - especially after the pouring on of cold water by the reviewer! I think your description
"Full gutsy playing, and a great sound, very well recorded. Not at all anaemic, like some" is perfect. I think we, as listeners, are equally entitled to pour cold water on some of the reviewer's preferences, too! I thought some of them sounded weak and lacking in body - cheap wine, by comparison with a full, rich Bordeaux...

Absolutely my feelings too. The Kodaly's are excellent - great intonation, and they get into the spirit of Haydn, and bring out the humour, as well as having brilliant techniques. I've heard them live once in London at King's Place - probably about 8 years ago, and they lived up to my expectations.