Mendelssohn Quartets (and Schubert and Beethoven?)

[Beef Oven!]

This morning I've been listening to Beethoven and Schubert late string quartets and was shocked to learn that I think that I actually prefer Schubert

This led my mind to wonder about other classical period masters, and the much ignored (by me and this forum, it seems) Mendelssohn came to mind.

Having a blind-spot here, and owning no recordings of Mendelssohn quartets, I was wondering about the views of other forumites about M's quartets in general, and a recommended place to start, in particular.

[verismissimo]

Love Mendelssohn's quartets, Beefie (perhaps more than Schubert's!). Op 80 most of all.

[Beef Oven!]

Love Mendelssohn's quartets, Beefie (perhaps more than Schubert's!). Op 80 most of all.

Op. 80 could be a starting point (or something to work towards)?

[rauschwerk]

Don't, whatever you do, overlook the string quintets! The first, in A major, has been described by Peter Cropper as 'one of the secret masterpieces of chamber music'.

[amateur51]

In Mendelssohn string quartets I've enjoyed recordings by Coull (in a Hyperion box too), Sorrel, Elias and Mandelring quartets

[Beef Oven!]

Don't, whatever you do, overlook the string quintets! The first, in A major, has been described by Peter Cropper as 'one of the secret masterpieces of chamber music'.

Too late, I didn't know there were string quintets!!

Sounds like the A major should be investigated - thanks!

[richardfinegold]

Haven't listened to M's Qts in a while. My general impression was that there are some great ones and some that have more of an experimental/mechanical feel, as if he was trying to hard to create something "new" . I sometimes get the same perception from some of his large Choral works, which have great stretches of inspiration interspersed with tracks reeking of perspiration. I think that M was occassionally to cognizant of the Giants that loomed over his shoulder, namely Bach and Beethoven.
The discs that I enjoy the most are by the Julliard and Eroica Quartets. The Pacifica Qt recordings got excellent reviews but I haven't heard them.

[amateur51]

The discs that I enjoy the most are by the Julliard and Eroica Quartets. n't listened to MThe Pacifica Qt recordings got excellent reviews but I haven't heard them.

I'd be interested to hear from members who know the Pacifica recordings .. and any other recommendations of course

[Beef Oven!]

Haven't listened to M's Qts in a while. My general impression was that there are some great ones and some that have more of an experimental/mechanical feel, as if he was trying to hard to create something "new" . I sometimes get the same perception from some of his large Choral works, which have great stretches of inspiration interspersed with tracks reeking of perspiration. I think that M was occassionally to cognizant of the Giants that loomed over his shoulder, namely Bach and Beethoven.
The discs that I enjoy the most are by the Julliard and Eroica Quartets. The Pacifica Qt recordings got excellent reviews but I haven't heard them.

Interesting ideas about experimental/mechanical feel and the possibility that he was trying (too hard?) to create something new. Which quartets do you get that impression from?

I'd be interested to know.

I'm more interested in the music, than this or that CD release (sometimes these threads get a bit like a CD review magazine, rather than a music forum!). But of course discussion of the CD releases that are available is helpful - so both please

[gurnemanz]

I had a similar gap in my collection and surveyed the scene a few years ago. I went for the conveniently packaged, well reviewed, and low price Cherubini set as an EMI threefer. No regrets.

[Stanfordian]

This morning I've been listening to Beethoven and Schubert late string quartets and was shocked to learn that I think that I actually prefer Schubert

This led my mind to wonder about other classical period masters, and the much ignored (by me and this forum, it seems) Mendelssohn came to mind.

Having a blind-spot here, and owning no recordings of Mendelssohn quartets, I was wondering about the views of other forumites about M's quartets in general, and a recommended place to start, in particular.

Hiya Beefy,


I would recommend the complete set of the Mendelssohn Quartets by the Henschel Quartet. I also like the Pacifica, Leipzig and Emerson in these works.

[Nick Armstrong]

Beef - some FM quartet recordings were considered on CD Review this week, in the segment starting at about 11.15:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b043wj9h

after some piano music, he looked at extracts from a new set from Champs Hill with a range of quartets performing one each

Quartet no. 2 in A minor Op.13 for strings
Performers: Sacconi Quartet
Composers: Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
Album Title: Champs Hill: CHRCD085

Quartet no. 2 in A minor Op.13 for strings
Performers: Artemis String Quartet
Composers: Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
Album Title: ERATO: 0825646366903

Quartet no. 3 in D major Op.44`1 for strings
Performers: Navarra String Quartet
Composers: Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
Album Title: Champs Hill: CHRCD085

Quartet no. 6 in F minor Op.80 for strings
Performers: Badke Quartet
Composers: Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
Album Title: Champs Hill: CHRCD085


A bargain way of getting them all http://www.champshillrecords.co.uk/c...umber=CHRCD085

But AMcG seemed to think that each performance has probably been pipped by other, e.g. that Artemis SQ recording cited above which he described as shading the Champs Hill team http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Erato/2564636690

I guess it's good-value completism versus more expensive 'pick your own'...

[Beef Oven!]

I had a similar gap in my collection and surveyed the scene a few years ago. I went for the conveniently packaged, well reviewed, and low price Cherubini set as an EMI threefer. No regrets.

Seems like a good choice, nice price too. Thanks!

[Beef Oven!]

Hiya Beefy,


I would recommend the complete set of the Mendelssohn Quartets by the Henschel Quartet. I also like the Pacifica, Leipzig and Emerson in these works.

Henschel are nicely priced too. Pacifica & Emersons dearer :sad face:

Thanks!

[Beef Oven!]

Beef - some FM quartet recordings were considered on CD Review this week, in the segment starting at about 11.15:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b043wj9h

after some piano music, he looked at extracts from a new set from Champs Hill with a range of quartets performing one each

Quartet no. 2 in A minor Op.13 for strings
Performers: Sacconi Quartet
Composers: Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
Album Title: Champs Hill: CHRCD085

Quartet no. 2 in A minor Op.13 for strings
Performers: Artemis String Quartet
Composers: Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
Album Title: ERATO: 0825646366903

Quartet no. 3 in D major Op.44`1 for strings
Performers: Navarra String Quartet
Composers: Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
Album Title: Champs Hill: CHRCD085

Quartet no. 6 in F minor Op.80 for strings
Performers: Badke Quartet
Composers: Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
Album Title: Champs Hill: CHRCD085


A bargain way of getting them all http://www.champshillrecords.co.uk/c...umber=CHRCD085

But AMcG seemed to think that each performance has probably been pipped by other, e.g. that Artemis SQ recording cited above which he described as shading the Champs Hill team http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Erato/2564636690

I guess it's good-value completism versus more expensive 'pick your own'...

Ta, Cali.

I will 'tune-in' to those progs.

At circa £14, Champs Hill are a dearer option.