Our Summer BAL 45: Bartok Quartets

[Richard Barrett]

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.

[visualnickmos]

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.

[Beef Oven!]

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.

[Beef Oven!]

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.

[HighlandDougie]

I don't have the lauded 1963 set, and won't have, until it comes around at a reasonable price.

See:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00005UPOP/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1534755491&sr=8-1&keywords=asin+ASIN%3A+B00005UPOP

and

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/bart%C3%B3k-string-quartets-the

[Beef Oven!]

See:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00005UPOP/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1534755491&sr=8-1&keywords=asin+ASIN%3A+B00005UPOP

and

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/...g-quartets-the

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'?

[Bryn]

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?

[Bryn]

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:

[Beef Oven!]

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

[Beef Oven!]

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.

[HighlandDougie]

Just over £25 may be too much but:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00005UV71/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=ALYY2EOZQ7QUK&psc=1

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

I got my copy via Amazon.de last year

[Beef Oven!]

Just over £25 may be too much but:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00005UV71/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=ALYY2EOZQ7QUK&psc=1

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.

[Bryn]

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).

[Beef Oven!]

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

[Bryn]

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.