Our Summer BAL 45: Bartok Quartets

[Beef Oven!]

Are they any good? Do you have a preference?
thanks
Mike

I like them both very much and I have a preference for the Keller. It's the rhythmic aspect and sound of the instruments that do it for me. Complete new set can be had on Amazon market place for just over a fiver! Great reviews, too. Here's the link Amazon.


Here's a short review by Jed Distler of the Vermeer (I quite agree about the great sound quality) http://www.classicstoday.com/review/...1627/?search=1

[DracoM]

Which set, Draco?

1998 on Decca

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I havent heard the Emerson Quartet, but The Penguin Guide 2010 says "... in terms of virtuosity, finesse and accuracy [they] outstrip most of their rivals." They also note that the set won the Gramophone 'Record of the Year' award in 1989. They do comment that "If at times their projection and expressive vehemence are a bit too much of a good thing, these are concentrated and brilliant performances that are very well recorded." I guess one man's "projection and expressive vehemence" are another's "glaring, one-dimensional performances."

Indeed.

I bought the Emerson set based on those very reviews - and was instantly disappointed. I kept playing the discs hoping that a penny or two would drop, but it just seemed that they weren't interested in the warmer, more lyrical moments of the works. They just wanted to keep the friction burning. The Tokyos manage to burn white hot where necessary but also allow the reflective moments to breathe - as do many other performances, including the Lindsays, through whose Live performances in Leeds in 1980 I learnt these magnificent, multi-faceted masterpieces.

[Pulcinella]

I

According to John Hunt's discography of Columbia, the name was launched in the USA in 1894 as Columbia Phonograph Company, and began marketing in the UK in 1907. In the USA it modified the name to Columbia Broadcasting Systems, then to CBS and "now" (the discography is not dated, but I think around 2000) as Sony. I've never seen any Sony LPs, but I suspect they werent marketed in the UK, where Columbia was absorbed into EMI. I know, for example that music issued in the USA on the Mercury label was issued in the UK under the Mercury name, but produced by HMV/EMI. RCA recordings were issued in the USA coded LSC, but in the UK they were pressed by Decca and issued with the SB code.

This is very confusing, if anyone knows more than me about this, which wouldnt be difficult, please tell us!

That makes some sense, and at least chimes with my newer recollection of them being CBS not Sony LPs!

[verismissimo]

I heard the Emersons only once - in New York in the 80s - and left at the interval.

Only time I've ever done that (except at the opera ).

[richardfinegold]

I got acquainted with these via the Second Juliard cycle, and then the Hungarian Quartet, but the Emerson set mowed them both down without mercy, and that has been the only set I have listened to since

[Black Swan]

I too, have had the Emerson Set since it's release and winning a Grammy. It has served me well. I have thought of other sets but to date haven't purchased another..

J

[LeMartinPecheur]

I got acquainted with these via the Second Juliard cycle, and then the Hungarian Quartet, but the Emerson set mowed them both down without mercy, and that has been the only set I have listened to since

Hmm, in view of comments above I suspect that may not necessarily be seen as an unequivocal endorsement, rfg

Haven't heard it myself. I have the DG Hungarian and Decca Takacs, plus EMI Belcea. No mention of the Bs so far? When I have time (if ever) they should get a closer comparison here. Comments on them anyone?

[Bryn]

Hmm, which of the perhaps rather too many sets of the Bartok Sting Quartets CD sets would I make the first to be rescued from a burning building. Much as I admire the good old Fine Arts, Takacs, Keller, Juilliard (both), Hagen, etc, it's the Belcea that I would grab first.

[pastoralguy]

I've always loved the Hagen Quartet's version on DG. I was lucky enough to hear them live at the Edinburgh Festival the year before they recorded them. They really capture the lyrical side of these amazing works, imho. However, the notes refer to the Edinburgh Festival concerts but make the mistake of talking about 'successive evenings' whereas it was actually successive mornings!

I do remember their viola player, Veronica, throwing her arms round me when she mistook me for someone else. She was very apologetic! I've been a big fan ever since.

[EdgeleyRob]

I can't find fault with Keller or Belcea.
Don't feel the need for another set,they'll do for me.

[jayne lee wilson]

Surprised at so little mention of the Vegh Quartet on this thread...
"As for the stereo era, the Vegh Quartet is Bartok. Hearing them play is like hearing Bartok play."

So Rob Cowan said, in his 3/2001 Gramophone Collection Article. Despite being " a little past their technical prime", this 1972 set (Auvidis/Naive, 1987, 2001, etc.) was his top choice, alongside the Takacs 1998 Decca set, and a plea for the reissue of the Juilliards from 1963. This latter was issued on the Retrospective Recordings label in 2001 with 2 Quartets per disc (rather than splitting the 4th across 2 discs as Sony did in 2002).
I've felt no need to add to these three in the years since...

RC also liked the Hagens, Kellers, and the 1977-80 Tokyo...
...The Emersons too, but he felt, having heard a live 2nd (at St.Johns) years after the 1988 release, that it "knocked spots off their CD", as it had "matured, loosened, learned to laugh". He hoped they'd re-record them.

[Acavus]

The 1963 Juilliards are my favourite, even above the Vegh, probably because it was the cycle with which I really got to understand these quartets back in the days of LP. The Retrospective Recordings issue of the 1963 cycle is no more than serviceable as the mastering is frankly awful - thin on top and distinctly lacking in bass. To see what excellent results could have been achieved, have a listen to a Sony CD celebrating the quartet's 50th anniversary (SMK 62705) which features three of their Bartok quartet recordings from different eras : no.4 from 1949, no.3 from 1963, and no.6 from 1981. If only Sony they had issued the complete 1963 cycle!

[Pulcinella]

The 1963 Juilliards are my favourite, even above the Vegh, probably because it was the cycle with which I really got to understand these quartets back in the days of LP. The Retrospective Recordings issue of the 1963 cycle is no more than serviceable as the mastering is frankly awful - thin on top and distinctly lacking in bass. To see what excellent results could have been achieved, have a listen to a Sony CD celebrating the quartet's 50th anniversary (SMK 62705) which features three of their Bartok quartet recordings from different eras : no.4 from 1949, no.3 from 1963, and no.6 from 1981. If only Sony they had issued the complete 1963 cycle!

They have: see message 8.
Also mentioned in message 27.

[verismissimo]

Surprised at so little mention of the Vegh Quartet on this thread...
"As for the stereo era, the Vegh Quartet is Bartok. Hearing them play is like hearing Bartok play." ...

Me too (surprised at the lack of mentions). Would love to have more on this set.