Our Summer BAL 45: Bartok Quartets

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  • Richard Barrett
    Guest
    • Jan 2016
    • 6259

    #46
    I've always had an odd relationship with these quartets, and don't choose to listen to them very often although I always feel I should get to know them better. I've tried out many recordings and the ones that I've stayed with are Keller and (unsurprisingly) Hagen. I started off with the Hungarian but I haven't listened to that for years.

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    • visualnickmos
      Full Member
      • Nov 2010
      • 3614

      #47
      Recently came across the Vermeer Quartet set, (Naxos) very pleasant - a breath of fresh air, in their approach. It is the latest set of Bartok SQs that I have - Keller, Takacs, both Juilliard's sets being the others. I'll probably call it a day there.

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      • Beef Oven!
        Ex-member
        • Sep 2013
        • 18147

        #48
        Originally posted by Richard Barrett View Post
        I've always had an odd relationship with these quartets, and don't choose to listen to them very often although I always feel I should get to know them better. I've tried out many recordings and the ones that I've stayed with are Keller and (unsurprisingly) Hagen. I started off with the Hungarian but I haven't listened to that for years.
        I only caught up with the Hagen Quartet a few years ago when I bought their set of the complete Mozart string quartets at a bargain price. I was surprised at how good the performances were. Subsequently, I acquired their Ligeti 'Clear Or Cloudy' Deutsche Grammophon recordings, DSCH string quartets 3, 4, 7, 8, 11 & 14 and various Beethoven and Schubert string quartets.

        I really think they are an ensemble that is worth listening to, irrespective of the repertoire.

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        • Beef Oven!
          Ex-member
          • Sep 2013
          • 18147

          #49
          Originally posted by visualnickmos View Post
          Recently came across the Vermeer Quartet set, (Naxos) very pleasant - a breath of fresh air, in their approach. It is the latest set of Bartok SQs that I have - Keller, Takacs, both Juilliard's sets being the others. I'll probably call it a day there.
          Yes stick, don't twist!

          For years I was happy with the Kellers and Vermeers. Both excellent perfermances. I had no need for anything more, and then .......

          There are three Juilliards, '49, '63 & 81. I only have the middle set.

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          • HighlandDougie
            Full Member
            • Nov 2010
            • 3108

            #50
            Originally posted by Beef Oven! View Post
            I don't have the lauded 1963 set, and won't have, until it comes around at a reasonable price.
            See:



            and

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            • Beef Oven!
              Ex-member
              • Sep 2013
              • 18147

              #51
              Thanks HighlandDougie. I may go for that. It's reasonably priced.

              But, I'm not sure about the recording quality/transfer. Where are Bryn/Jayne when you need 'em'?

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              • Bryn
                Banned
                • Mar 2007
                • 24688

                #52
                Originally posted by Beef Oven! View Post
                Yes stick, don't twist!

                For years I was happy with the Kellers and Vermeers. Both excellent perfermances. I had no need for anything more, and then .......

                There are three Juilliards, '49, '63 & 81. I only have the middle set.
                Make your mind up. Either you do have the "middle" (1963) set or you don't. Which is it?

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                • Bryn
                  Banned
                  • Mar 2007
                  • 24688

                  #53
                  Originally posted by Beef Oven! View Post
                  Thanks HighlandDougie. I may go for that. It's reasonably priced.

                  But, I'm not sure about the recording quality/transfer. Where are Bryn/Jayne when you need 'em'?
                  Not heard that particular manifestation of the 1963s but I can understand you being Cagey about the quality of the transfers:

                  "The Retrospective transfers are fairly good save for the odd patch of tape drop out (such as at 4'33" into the first movement of the Fifth Quartet)".

                  I have this French Sony release:

                  Last edited by Bryn; 20-08-18, 10:19. Reason: Update.

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                  • Beef Oven!
                    Ex-member
                    • Sep 2013
                    • 18147

                    #54
                    Originally posted by Bryn View Post
                    Make your mind up. Either you do have the "middle" (1963) set or you don't. Which is it?


                    I only have the 1981 digital

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                    • Beef Oven!
                      Ex-member
                      • Sep 2013
                      • 18147

                      #55
                      Originally posted by Bryn View Post
                      Not heard that particular manifestation of the 1963s but I can understand you being Cagey about the quality of the transfers:

                      "The Retrospective transfers are fairly good save for the odd patch of tape drop out (such as at 4'33" into the first movement of the Fifth Quartet)".
                      Yes, I'm cagey, literally and metaphorically.

                      I may pass up on this one .........

                      Surely a Sony release of the 1963 cant be too far off.

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                      • HighlandDougie
                        Full Member
                        • Nov 2010
                        • 3108

                        #56
                        Just over £25 may be too much but:



                        from Medimops (who deliver to the UK - and from experience are reliable)

                        I got my copy via Amazon.de last year

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                        • Beef Oven!
                          Ex-member
                          • Sep 2013
                          • 18147

                          #57
                          Originally posted by HighlandDougie View Post
                          Just over £25 may be too much but:



                          from Medimops (who deliver to the UK - and from experience are reliable)

                          I got my copy via Amazon.de last year
                          Thanks HD

                          Order placed!

                          This transfer seems to be one of the vouched-for.

                          £26+ is not so bad.

                          Hopefully it won't take too long to arrive from West Germany.

                          P.S. Ive used Medimops often, and they are reliable.

                          Comment

                          • Bryn
                            Banned
                            • Mar 2007
                            • 24688

                            #58
                            Originally posted by Beef Oven! View Post
                            Thanks HD

                            Order placed!

                            This transfer seems to be one of the vouched-for.

                            £26+ is not so bad.

                            Hopefully it won't take too long to arrive from West Germany.

                            P.S. Ive used Medimops often, and they are reliable.
                            When I got them via the amazon.co.uk marketplace (nagiry) 6 years ago, they were £11.43 including p&p "New". It is long overdue that they reappeared, perhaps in a big Sony Juilliard Quartet box (not just the mean-spirited "Epic" only box they put out).

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                            • Beef Oven!
                              Ex-member
                              • Sep 2013
                              • 18147

                              #59
                              Originally posted by Bryn View Post
                              When I got them via the amazon.co.uk marketplace (nagiry) 6 years ago, they were £11.43 including p&p "New". It is long overdue that they reappeared, perhaps in a big Sony Juilliard Quartet box (not just the mean-spirited "Epic" only box they put out).
                              Thanks Bryn. I really didn't know that I probably paid at least £15 over the top for a roughed-up sceond hand copy, and Sony will release a remastered 58 bit/4,000 version in two week's time

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                              • Bryn
                                Banned
                                • Mar 2007
                                • 24688

                                #60
                                Originally posted by Beef Oven! View Post
                                Thanks Bryn. I really didn't know that I probably paid at least £15 over the top for a roughed-up second-hand copy, and Sony will release a remastered 58 bit/4,000 version in two week's time
                                By the way, there is definitely no 'Cage point' at 4'33" into the first movement of the 5th Quartet. All runs very smoothly. The one minor annoyance is that the 4th Quartet is split over the two discs. I ripped 3, 4 and 5 to burn to a separate CD-R which, in it's paper and film envelope, slips under the booklet clips of the jewel case.

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