Our Summer BAL 75: Britten String quartets

[Pulcinella]

A suggestion from Forum member teamsaint taken up for a new thread.
Recording information/details not that easy to glean, so (as usual) I'm happy to have additions or corrections.

In BaL on 18 October 2003, Stephen Johnson made the following choices:
First choice for SQ1: Brodsky Quartet
First choice for SQ2: Sorrel Quartet
First choice for SQ3: Maggini Quartet

Overall choice for complete set: Maggini Quartet

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Versions including all three (numbered) quartets (and often other Britten works too)

Alberni String Quartet (2 separate CDs/D)
Belcea Quartet (D)
Belcea Quartet (DVD) [2019]
Britten Quartet (D)
Brodsky Quartet (2CDs/D)
Doric String Quartet (2CDs/D)
Emperor Quartet (2 separate SACDs/D)
Endellion Quartet (2CDs/D)
Maggini Quartet (2 separate CDs/D)
Sorrel Quartet (2 separate CDs/D)
Takacs Quartet (CD/D)


Other recordings

Allegri String Quartet (3) (CD)
Amadeus String Quartet (2, 3) (CD/D) [Originally Decca, now Presto]
Amadeus String Quartet (2) (2CDs/D) [RIAS]
Amadeus String Quartet (3) (D) [DG]
Amadeus String Quartet (3) (CD) [Hanssler, 1977 Schwetzingen]]
Amadeus String Quartet (3) (DVD) [Testament, 1977 Aldeburgh]
Auryn Quartet (2, 3) (D)
Barbirolli Quartet (2) (CD/D)
Coull Quartet (3) (CD/D)
Emerson String Quartet (2, 3) (CD/D)
Engegard Quartet (2) (D)
Fine Arts Quartet (3) (D)
Galimir Quartet (1) (D)
Kamus Quartet (3) (SACD/D)
The Lindsays (3) (CD) [Originally ASV, now Presto]
Sequoia Quartet (2) (D)
Verdi-Quartett (3) (D)
Vermeer Quartet (3) (CD)

[Lordgeous]

I have the Amadeus playing 1 and 2.

[LMcD]

I have the 2 Maggini CDs and can recommend them unreservedly.

[Pulcinella]

I have the Amadeus playing 1 and 2.

I could find no trace of them having recorded number 1.

I have the Belcea and the Endellion sets, and am perfectly happy with them (but I can imagine them suiting the Magginis very well).
I also have the Lindsays in 3, and the Amadeus in 2 and 3, which is very special because of their association with Britten and the premiere of number 3:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_Quartet_No._3_(Britten)

[makropulos]

I have the 2 Maggini CDs and can recommend them unreservedly.

Strongly agree with that –they're really fine.

[Lordgeous]

I could find no trace of them having recorded number 1 [/url]

Ooops, my mistake. On vinyl (Argo) No 2 is coupled with a Fricker Quartet. Memory playing up!

[HighlandDougie]

Alas, the very good recording of Nos 2 and 3 coupled with the Three Divertimenti (1933 - 36) released by the Elias Quartet in 2010 seems to be no longer available.

[Pulcinella]

Alas, the very good recording of Nos 2 and 3 coupled with the Three Divertimenti (1933 - 36) released by the Elias Quartet in 2010 seems to be no longer available.

Amazon still has copies:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Benjamin-Britten-String-Quartets-Divertimenti/dp/B003CLXJWK

[Edgy 2]

I have the Endellion (a 3CD set btw of the complete music for String Quartet) and Maggini.
In Britten,as always it seems in British Quartet repertoire,the Magginis are exceptional.

[Pulcinella]

I have the Endellion (a 3CD set btw of the complete music for String Quartet) and Maggini.
In Britten,as always it seems in British Quartet repertoire,the Magginis are exceptional.

Endellion repackaged now, I think.
I had the 3CD set but gave it away when I got the big Collector's Edition box.
This is the current 2CD (according to Presto) manifestation:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8035592--britten-string-quartets-3-divertimenti

[Ein Heldenleben]

I have the Maggini - a bargain on Naxos. Also free on Amazon Prime. The Brodskys are highly thought of in these ...(full on masterpieces)
I also have the Allegri / Gabrieli /Amadeus as part of the Decca Complete edition but haven't listened to them ....
That Decca complete is one of the best things I've ever bought...

[Edgy 2]

Endellion repackaged now, I think.
I had the 3CD set but gave it away when I got the big Collector's Edition box.
This is the current 2CD (according to Presto) manifestation:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...3-divertimenti