BaL 5.1.19 - Debussy: String Quartet.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I had exactly the same suspicion, Barbs, but it's a case of tempus fugiting away as is its wont: that review (and the Belcea recommendation) was 14 over years ago, in November 2004!

Lowri Blake on 20th November, 2004 (I'd've been driving to Huddersfield). Page 137 here:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio3/classical/cdreview/bal1213.pdf

[Barbirollians]

Lowri Blake on 20th November, 2004 (I'd've been driving to Huddersfield). Page 137 here:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio3/cl...ew/bal1213.pdf

Gulp

[vinteuil]

.

... looking forward to this a lot. I have the Italiani, the Ébène, the Kuijkens, the Emerson, and of course most importantly the Calvet -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BYWG7RB/

.

[Richard Barrett]

Predictably, I suppose, I would go with the Hagens and Kuijkens of the recordings I know. I've slowly come to a much deeper appreciation for this piece than used to be the case. I used to think that, alongside Ravel's mature, elegant and highly sophisticated quartet (which it often is of course), it comes across as less memorable, and feeling its way towards a new coherent style sometimes a bit awkwardly, also in comparison with CD's own later work. But I no longer think so, realising that it has a luminosity of its own which is quite unique even within CD's oeuvre, which I've been reassessing positively in recent months what with all the new recordings and complete editions for his centenary.

[french frank]

and of course most importantly the Calvet

Top end, I assume

[Bryn]

Predictably, I suppose, I would go with the Hagens and Kuijkens of the recordings I know. I've slowly come to a much deeper appreciation for this piece than used to be the case. I used to think that, alongside Ravel's mature, elegant and highly sophisticated quartet (which it often is of course), it comes across as less memorable, and feeling its way towards a new coherent style sometimes a bit awkwardly, also in comparison with CD's own later work. But I no longer think so, realising that it has a luminosity of its own which is quite unique even within CD's oeuvre, which I've been reassessing positively in recent months what with all the new recordings and complete editions for his centenary.

Thanks for mentioning the Kuijkens. Good old QOBUZ to the rescue.

[LeMartinPecheur]

At the moment i can only put my hands on the Italians, the Dantes and an ancient HMV LP of the Parrenins which seems not to be on fhg's list, though I thought I'd seen it in some big CD box fairly recently.

[Bryn]

At the moment i can only put my hands on the Italians, the Dantes and an ancient HMV LP of the Parrenins which seems not to be on fhg's list, though I thought I'd seen it in some big CD box fairly recently.

Well, it's not in the DG or Warner boxes. I would think Warner the most likely current rights owners. It used to be on an HMV Classics CD. There's a mono Parrenin on QOBUZ.

[Quite forgot, I have it on an EMI (France) Classics double CD album of the chamber music.



It was also on an EMI Red Line CD in the UK (which can currently be found on amazon.de and .fr at sensible prices, but possibly not for dispatch to the UK.]

[visualnickmos]

At the moment i can only put my hands on the Italians, the Dantes and an ancient HMV LP of the Parrenins which seems not to be on fhg's list, though I thought I'd seen it in some big CD box fairly recently.

A very good performance - also have Quartetto Italiano, Kodaly - pretty good as well.

[richardfinegold]

This was one of my first Chamber music purchases, the Melos Quartet on DG, still my favorite. I recently acquired the Italiano Quartet big box but haven’t spun this one yet, so for tonight, perhaps

[verismissimo]

Only the Lindsays on CD, but the Vlach, the Via Nova and the Juilliard on LP - of which it's always been the Via Nova (French, Erato, 1971) to which I've turned longtemps.

[verismissimo]

Come on folks. What lights your fire in this?

[BBMmk2]

Come on folks. What lights your fire in this?

See post no.6!

[Beef Oven!]

Come on folks. What lights your fire in this?

Nothing at the moment, as per my post #6. I'm hoping that the programme will capture my imagination and ignite my desire for this work (as so many BaLs have for other works down the years). I hope it doesn't turn out as another dreary single handed BaL, the like of which we've had too many, lately.

[gurnemanz]

I had (still have) the classic Quartetto Italiano Debussy/Ravel LP coupling on Philips. When CDs arrived I got the Bartók Quartet on Hungaroton White Label - a great-value bargain issue. I remembered seeing them live in the early 1970's. Same coupling but generously including Dvorák's American. I have always enjoyed their performance in excellent, beautifully balanced sound, and not felt the need to buy another one, but will still listen to BaL with interest.