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

[Nick Armstrong]

Yup, pucker up T-nog - ain't nobody else gonna blow dat ting for ya!!

[EdgeleyRob]

I believe this is the third one I have called correctly.

Do you do racing tips Thropple ?
We have a thread you know.

[DoctorT]

I learned the LQs through the Vegh Qt recordings borrowed on LP from my local library in my early 20s: those were the days! I then became a fan of the Quartetto Italiano on CD. Having been looking for a recording in more modern sound for some time, I liked what I heard of the Belceas this morning, and have duly placed an order. I thought Martin Cotton's approach an ideal one.

[Don Petter]

Interesting BaL, but I wasn't particularly impressed with the Belceas. The first excerpt I heard (blind, after just getting into the car) sounded rather flat and wishy-washy, and one of their later ones, on the other hand, sounded as if they were eager to finish and get home.

When he said the only historic recording he would refer to would be the Busch, it made me wonder quite where such a dividing line was being drawn. Is it '78 to LP', or 'mono only to stereo' or some other arbitrary date?

He did mention the Hollywoods (1957 mono) in fact, but discarded them for recorded quality. Had he heard Pristine's new transfer, I wonder, which has been widely praised for its improvements. I haven't heard the latter, but speak as one who is more than happy with the LP, and subsequently CD, sound quality. I certainly don't think the quality is anything which should put you off from trying a classic account.

Among the 'moderns' I liked hearing the Italians again - certainly a recording I could always live with pleasurably. Did he ever mention the Smetana's recording? For me, another one well worth hearing.

[Thropplenoggin]

Do you do racing tips Thropple ?
We have a thread you know.

I wish.

[Bryn]

I'm afraid the total failure to even consider the Brooklyn Rider recording of Op. 131 rather devalues the whole project, as far as I am concerned. Perhaps the title of the CD, "Seven Steps" meant it was not Cottoned on to?

[verismissimo]

I'm afraid the total failure to even consider the Brooklyn Rider recording of Op. 131 rather devalues the whole project, as far as I am concerned. Perhaps the title of the CD, "Seven Steps" meant it was not Cottoned on to?

Intrigued by your advocacy, Bryn, I've invested in the Brooklyn Rider recording. Their rather radical approach to music (and its marketing) clearly divides. And it's odd that on Amazon uk's site, there's no mention whatsoever that this quartet op131 is present at all.

I'm curious as to why there are still no genuine HIP recordings of the work. Or are there some nla? HIP has been around for decades, so why the lack?

[Tom Audustus]

Well he didn't tell me to bin my QI, which pleased me. I enjoyed MC's "technical" approach to BAL - I like to gain insights into the work in question, not just hear the reviewer's opinions - for me the more objective the better. He was sort of David Owen Norris without the jokes.

...

Yes. A much better programme this week. I like it when serious music is treated seriously. It happens far too little on Radio 3 these days.

[Nick Armstrong]

Yes. A much better programme this week. I like it when serious music is treated seriously. It happens far too little on Radio 3 these days.

Agreed

Illuminating signposts through a work I don't know enough (One marvel among many: that magical step up into the second movement... ). The rapid fire, very short extracts illustrating different tempi in various versions of #4 variation 2 were fascinating; but MC took time for much longer extracts in other instances. I liked the variety of his approach.

I have the QI & the Talich sets. Not inclined to add the Belceas, the leader's tone & intonation sounded from the short extracts to be the sort of violin playing I personally don't like. I'll try and catch the full broadcast on Monday though.

[gradus]

A very small point indeed, but were all the Belcea performances recorded live? The two concerts I attended during their cycle at Snape were not recorded and I thought some were recorded without an audience.
Count me amongst their (the quartets and the Belcea) devotees.

[Beresford]

Live?

Surely live is best?
If you need a less heated version for repeated listening, are you listening too often, I wonder?
.

I agree - live is best - if you are there. But CD's aren't live, so maybe different factors appeal.
And was this performance actually live? See #40.
I have just heard the full performance on Monday's R3 and I didn't hear any bangs and coughs?

[HighlandDougie]

If I can be forgiven for being an anorak, the booklets in the two boxes state that they were:

"Recorded in concert ... at the Britten Studio, Snape", with various dates listed, viz. 3/4 December 2011; 23/25 March 2012; 18/19 May 2012; 13 October 2012; and 1/2 December 2012 (but no specific dates for each quartet).

Until I read these posts, it hadn't really occurred to me to wonder (or be bothered by) whether they were live or not, given the quality and intensity of the performances. The Belcea's tone may not be to everyone's taste but their insight into these quartets is unquestionable - or it is to me at least.

[Thropplenoggin]

If I can be forgiven for being an anorak, the booklets in the two boxes state that they were:

"Recorded in concert ... at the Britten Studio, Snape", with various dates listed, viz. 3/4 December 2011; 23/25 March 2012; 18/19 May 2012; 13 October 2012; and 1/2 December 2012 (but no specific dates for each quartet).

Until I read these posts, it hadn't really occurred to me to wonder (or be bothered by) whether they were live or not, given the quality and intensity of the performances. The Belcea's tone may not be to everyone's taste but their insight into these quartets is unquestionable - or it is to me at least.

[Richard Tarleton]

I agree - live is best - if you are there. But CD's aren't live, so maybe different factors appeal.
And was this performance actually live? See #40.
I have just heard the full performance on Monday's R3 and I didn't hear any bangs and coughs?

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my dentist. I remarked that a procedure he had just carried out hadn't hurt at all, much to my surprise. He replied "I can make it more painful if you like". Perhaps they should issue a separate version with bangs and coughs, for those who would prefer it?

[Nick Armstrong]

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my dentist. I remarked that a procedure he had just carried out hadn't hurt at all, much to my surprise. He replied "I can make it more painful if you like". Perhaps they should issue a separate version with bangs and coughs, for those who would prefer it?

I suggested adding clicks, pops and jumps to modern digital recordings, to a vinyl-addict mate who was complaining that CD sound was "too clean"...