BaL 15.04.23 - Janácek: String Quartet No 1, “Kreutzer Sonata”

[Nick Armstrong]

Slightly unexpected outcome? But a well put together BaL, with justifications given all along the way.

Yes, an exemplary survey this one, I thought, of a work which very much lends itself to the BaL treatment, being compact and allowing for multiple comparative excerpts and comments whilst the piece as a whole is covered. The reviewer’s observations were clearly expressed, illuminating and informative (I never knew the narrative connections between the music - the train motifs especially - and the story) and made me want to revisit the quartet.

[visualnickmos]

A very good BaL. Nobody here has (AFAIK) mentioned the Belcea Quartet's recording, which I was rather taken with from the extracts played. May have to acquire yet another(!) 'Kreutzer' to my Janceks!
Also the Takacs was very appealing.

[Bryn]

A very good BaL. Nobody here has (AFAIK) mentioned the Belcea Quartet's recording, which I was rather taken with from the extracts played. May have to acquire yet another(!) 'Kreutzer' to my Janceks!
Also the Takacs was very appealing.

The (2nd) Belcea may not have been mentioned here by name but I did suggest that I would be checking out that which used the Urtext edition, which is that 2nd Belcea recording. You also get the Ligeti SQ1.

[visualnickmos]

The (2nd) Belcea may not have been mentioned here by name but I did suggest that I would be checking out that which used the Urtext edition, which is that 2nd Belcea recording. You also get the Ligeti SQ1.

I see. I hadn't realised there were two Belceas! The addition of the Ligeti is very appealing.

[edashtav]

Yes, an exemplary survey this one, I thought, of a work which very much lends itself to the BaL treatment, being compact and allowing for multiple comparative excerpts and comments whilst the piece as a whole is covered. The reviewer’s observations were clearly expressed, illuminating and informative (I never knew the narrative connections between the music - the train motifs especially - and the story) and made me want to revisit the quartet.

I agree, a fine BaL that made me think fresh thoughts about this excellent work. I’ve sworn by the Medici Quartet for more than a quarter of a century. I shall be ordering today’s winner.

[kindofblue]

I see. I hadn't realised there were two Belceas! The addition of the Ligeti is very appealing.

It's a very fine CD; both Janacek quartets and an excellent 'Metamorphoses Nocturnes' from Ligeti. In agreement with earlier posts about the quality of this BAL - clearly articulated opinions, detailed knowledge of both the music, its evolution, and the literary background. No gushing or hyperventilating either, it can be done!

[french frank]

I see. I hadn't realised there were two Belceas!

Oh, boo. I have the first one, from 2001 on Zig-Zag Territoires. Must reread the liner notes.

[Bryn]

Oh, boo. I have the first one, from 2001 on Zig-Zag Territoires. Must reread the liner notes.

The main things are the editions they use for the Janacek and that they have matured further as musicians.

[french frank]

The main things are the editions they use for the Janacek and that they have matured further as musicians.

Yes, did he say the second was 2008 or 2018? (I meant I'd read the liner notes now in light of what EL was saying). Currently half way through the Tolstoy which I'd either forgotten about or never read.

[Bryn]

Yes, did he say the second was 2008 or 2018? (I meant I'd read the liner notes now in light of what EL was saying). Currently half way through the Tolstoy which I'd either forgotten about or never read.

From the booklet pdf:

"RECORDED IN MAY & DECEMBER 2018 AT PHILHARMONIE LUxEMBOURG"

"LEOš [JANACEK] STRING QUARTETS NOS.1 & 2 C BäRENREITER EDITIO SUPRAPHON PRAHA
GYöRGY LIGETI STRING QUARTET NO.1 C SCHOTT"

[french frank]

Thank you, Bryn.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I read the novella about 30 years ago. I was in a waiting room as my mother was having a lengthy operation. I don’t remember the moralizing. I just remember thinking how the novella matched the Janacek for intensity. Tolstoy certainly was prone to moralizing in his longer works, such as WAP and AK, so I’ll take your word that it’s in the novella.
I completed my own personal survey of the Janacek recordings on my shelf by listening to the Janacek Qt. from. The early sixties. It had been preceded by the Mandelrings, Pavel Haas, and Smetena Quartets. The JQ was my imprinting and only recording for many years. It’s a fine performance, but after hearing the competition it no longer quite has the gut punch impact that it used to have. I would give the nod to the Mandelrings , a wee bit less echt Czech than the others, but beautiful, emotional, and a spectacular recording.

To be fair it’s in a post publication epilogue.

[Bryn]

To be fair it’s in a post publication epilogue.

As to post-publication, let's not forget that all but one of the currently available recordings pre-date the publication of the new(ish) Bärenreiter Supraphon Urtext edition of the score, a similarly new Urtext edition being used for 'Intimate Letters. I find it surprising that the only mention of this in the booklet notes for the 2018 Belcea recording is in the credits at their end. No mention is made of the changes this imposed on the performances. I have not seen the Urtext editions but wonder if that of 'Intimate Letters' treats with the matter of the use of a viola d'amore as a possibility. Like others, I find the Ligati quartet on the Belcea disc rather less enticing than the two Janacek quartets I would have welcomed a third recording of 'Intimate Letters' using said viola d'amore in place of the 1954 'bottom draw' Ligeti work, for all its role as an indication of things to come from Ligeti's musical development.

[See update to #60 regarding the use of the Urtext edition by other quartets.]

[Pulcinella]

Not much to add to what's been said.
The joy of streaming means I've been able to renew acquaintance with that early CfP Janacek Quartet version that introduced me to the work, but (as RFG comments) other later interpretations have shown a different style of performance that at first I found too aggressive but now understand and appreciate much better.
I enjoyed listening to the 'winner' yesterday.

[Bryn]

Thank you, Bryn.

The Urtext score as actually published in late2007, it seems: https://www.prestomusic.com/sheet-mu...BoCmyQQAvD_BwE

I should correct my earlier suggestion that only the 2nd Belcea recording used the Urtext edition. The Quatuor Diotima also used it for their 2008 recording. The Mandelring recording of December 2009 makes no mention of the edition used but they do play the interjections towards the end of the third movement more quietly than most, though not, perhaps, truly pianissimo.