BaL 26.10.13 - Beethoven String Quartet in C Sharp Minor Op 131

**Thropplenoggin** · 19-10-13, 11:33

The Belcea Quartet's recent recording of this work is excellent.

**verismissimo** · 19-10-13, 11:34

Op 131 was one of the earliest LPs that I acquired in 1967 - the Fine Arts Quartet recording on Saga. I was in my earlyish twenties and it came to me as something completely astounding - as though Beethoven had leapt forward a whole century and was a contemporary of Bartok.

I'm not sure where that original record has gone, but gone it has, to be replaced by the Amadeus from 1963 and the later Lindsays (whom I heard live in it on several occasions) from 2003. I'm going to review both this week, but I'm definitely in the market for something new.

**Barbirollians** · 19-10-13, 17:25

The Q.Italiano .

**visualnickmos** · 19-10-13, 21:11

I have the Berg Quartet (complete) Beethoven SQs; quite happy with it.

**pastoralguy** · 19-10-13, 21:12

I wonder if Lenny's version with the Vienna Phil. will get a mention...

**antongould** · 19-10-13, 21:39

Originally posted by Barbirollians View Post

The Q.Italiano .

......Yes indeed...

**robk** · 19-10-13, 21:51

Originally posted by verismissimo View Post

Op 131 was one of the earliest LPs that I acquired in 1967 - the Fine Arts Quartet recording on Saga. I was in my earlyish twenties and it came to me as something completely astounding - as though Beethoven had leapt forward a whole century and was a contemporary of Bartok.

I'm not sure where that original record has gone, but gone it has, to be replaced by the Amadeus from 1963 and the later Lindsays (whom I heard live in it on several occasions) from 2003. I'm going to review both this week, but I'm definitely in the market for something new.

I have that record in front of me now. It has a black and white photograph of the spiral nebula NGC 4565 on the cover. My reaction was the same as yours but I must have been in my late teens.

**Bryn** · 19-10-13, 21:55

I have all the Beethoven String Quartets, plus opera 16 and 29, played by the Fine Arts Quartet in a boxed set of LPs (the label is Concert Hall, but I am pretty sure it's the same recording of Op. 131 that turned up on Saga).

However, the Italians were just so special to me. In more recent decades the Talichs have been my favourites. However, currently it's Brooklyn Rider who rule the roost here. Much as I admire the Belcea set, they use just too much vibrato for my taste.

**vinteuil** · 19-10-13, 22:34

Busch, Hungarians, Italian, Vlach, Talich, Guarneri, Endellions, - I want 'em all.

I got to know this with the Italians - fell in love with the Busch - most recently have been mostly enjoying the Talichs.

More please...

**jayne lee wilson** · 20-10-13, 02:33

The Busch on a library LP was probably the first, but the Vegh CDs (from the heart straight TO the heart) were my one-and-only for many years, the polished Italiano another borrowed challenger... later aquired two Juilliards, 1969 in the studio and a later Library of Congress live one... but god knows how they'd stack up now against the Talichs etc...

Another vote for Lenny's VPO realisation - sui generis and sine qua non!

**Don Petter** · 20-10-13, 05:37

Time someone mentioned the Hollywoods!

**verismissimo** · 20-10-13, 10:57

Originally posted by Don Petter View Post

Time someone mentioned the Hollywoods!

I've had both the Hollywoods and the Buschs, but on cassette, which I can no longer play.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 21-10-13, 22:05

List now included in #1.

**Bryn** · 21-10-13, 22:40

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

List now included in #1.

You appear to have left out the ABQ's CD offering. Also Brooklyn Rider.

BaL 26.10.13 - Beethoven String Quartet in C Sharp Minor Op 131

BaL 26.10.13 - Beethoven String Quartet in C Sharp Minor Op 131

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