JSngry Posted December 2, 2003 Report Posted December 2, 2003 Ok, I've known the 1963 Julliard versions as the "standard", but I just heard the Emerson Quartet's set and was impressed. I'm looking to get opinions on what might constitue a "best" set of this music. Mix and match different performances by different groups to make up a set, or pick a "complete" set by one group if that's what does it for you. This is music that remains fresh and compelling to me, and I'm about ready to get some new takes on it. So, what's good to you? Quote
J.A.W. Posted December 2, 2003 Report Posted December 2, 2003 These 2CD-sets are my favorites: Keller Quartet - Erato 98538 Takács Quartet - Decca 455297 They both have a kind of "earthy" feeling that these great works need in my opinion. Quote
J.A.W. Posted December 2, 2003 Report Posted December 2, 2003 Keller String Quartet set, Takács String Quartet set. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted December 2, 2003 Report Posted December 2, 2003 I've touted the Keller set for years. Have not heard the Takács. I find the Julliard and Emerson sets a bit "modern/severe" for my taste. They are amazingly well played though - they just didn't wear well for me. Quote
Joe Posted December 2, 2003 Report Posted December 2, 2003 (edited) I have the Novak Quartet readings on Phillips. The Amazon reader isn't too fond of them, but I find their slightly clinical, Boulez-esque interpretations make it easier to really examine the architecture of the work. The recording I heard most often growing up was this one: but its been ages since I heard it. I do know the Juilliard Quartet built their legacy in part on their performances of these quartets, and that my father never gave up his old Juilliard LPs, including those 1963 recording of the Quartets. Edited December 2, 2003 by Joe Quote
Spontooneous Posted December 4, 2003 Report Posted December 4, 2003 Another vote for Keller here. But I don't mind the Emerson set at all. Sure wish the Juilliard '60s set was on CD. I'm keeping those LPs too. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted December 4, 2003 Report Posted December 4, 2003 I don't know these works at all well, but the other day on the radio I heard the Berg Quartet - I think - playing one of the quartets very convincingly. But as I say, this isn't from much of a comparative perspective... Quote
Stefan Wood Posted December 4, 2003 Report Posted December 4, 2003 I like the Emerson set. It is aggressive at bits but, that sits well with me. This isn't the cheeriest of chamber music, but I think they perform it very well. Quote
BruceH Posted December 10, 2003 Report Posted December 10, 2003 I think the Emerson version is the only one I have of these quartets, so I can't very well compare and contrast too much. Sounds good to me. Quote
Geoff Posted December 14, 2003 Report Posted December 14, 2003 I have heard the complete Bartok String Quartets performed by the Tokyo String Quartet. They do quite a good job as well. Quote
Peter Johnson Posted December 20, 2003 Report Posted December 20, 2003 Man, you guys make life expensive. I'm listening to the Takács set right now (bought it last night) and it's incredible. I'll try to post some impressions later, but I've never heard the set in its entirety. One thing that does bug me about the Takács, though, is the fact that disc one has quartets 1, 3 & 5, and disc 2 has quartets 2, 4 & 6. I prefer to listen in sequence, but that's just me... Thanks for the recs! Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted December 20, 2003 Report Posted December 20, 2003 Peter Johnson said: One thing that does bug me about the Takács, though, is the fact that disc one has quartets 1, 3 & 5, and disc 2 has quartets 2, 4 & 6. I prefer to listen in sequence, but that's just me... I doubt any sets will be in numerical order because of time considerations. The Keller set follows this sequence: 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6. Quote
Peter Johnson Posted October 5, 2004 Report Posted October 5, 2004 Up for Jim, and any other thoughts on these. Did you make a selection? I'm listening to quartet No. 4 right now (Takács recording), and parts of it make me want to weep with joy. The voicings are so raw, so beautiful...particularly the third movement (Non troppo lento). This movement contains chords that are way beyond my ability to understand, and I've studied Bartok's piano music and the music theory behind it. The Takács gives these quartets a very "earthy" reading, if I can use the term; they seem to use much more vernacular phrasing and are much more liberal with the tempi they ascribe to the movements, as compared to the Emerson reading, which I've heard since I purchased the Takács (although did not buy). With Takács as my entree into this world, I found Emerson reading sterile--masterful and technically perfect, perhaps, but sterile. Jim, if you're still considering which set to get, I strongly recommend you listen to or pick up the Takács--I think you'll like it. Quote
Joe Posted October 6, 2004 Report Posted October 6, 2004 Actually was lucky enough to see the Takács Quartet essay number 4 in performance earlier this year. Pretty astounding, but I though they did an even better job with Beethoven's 15th String Quartet (In A Minor, Opus 132). Quote
DTMX Posted October 6, 2004 Report Posted October 6, 2004 The Takács Quartet is playing Atlanta this weekend. It's a 3-B event (Bartok, Beethoven, Borodin). Go? Not go? It would be easier to decide if I hadn't just picked up tickets for Lovano's Nonet and the McCoy Tyner + Pharoah Sanders + Ravi Coltrane gigs. The Takács Quartet recording of Bartok's six is wonderful. Quote
DTMX Posted October 6, 2004 Report Posted October 6, 2004 $30 and an 80-mile roundtrip drive. If Ligeti was on the program, I'd be there even if I had to panhandle. Quote
MomsMobley Posted July 30, 2015 Report Posted July 30, 2015 Vertavo studio Vertavo live at the Het Quote
ejp626 Posted July 31, 2015 Report Posted July 31, 2015 Next week there is a chance to see the Borromeo String Quartet (never heard of them) doing a concert of all 6 Bartok String Quartets. I'll probably go. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted July 31, 2015 Report Posted July 31, 2015 should be an exhausting experience for all. Quote
jazzbo Posted July 31, 2015 Report Posted July 31, 2015 On 12/4/2003 at 5:59 AM, Spontooneous said: Another vote for Keller here. But I don't mind the Emerson set at all. Sure wish the Juilliard '60s set was on CD. I'm keeping those LPs too.According to the "reviews" this set has the '63 recordings.http://www.amazon.com/Bartok-Julliard-String-Quartet-Bartók/dp/B000P6RB88/ref=sr_1_13?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1438346466&sr=1-13&keywords=bartok+string+quartets Quote
Stefan Wood Posted July 31, 2015 Report Posted July 31, 2015 The Vegh Quartet cycle from 1954 is worth seeking out. Seems to be OOP now, but if and when Berkshire music is resurrected, they may have it. Quote
soulpope Posted August 4, 2015 Report Posted August 4, 2015 On 7/31/2015 at 1:54 PM, Stefan Wood said: The Vegh Quartet cycle from 1954 is worth seeking out. Seems to be OOP now, but if and when Berkshire music is resurrected, they may have it.Me believe the Vegh cycle recorded in 1972 and released by Naive is a worthy option ..... Quote
JSngry Posted 15 hours ago Author Report Posted 15 hours ago Why isn't the 1963 Julliard set currently on American (and hardly any!) CD? Sony Classical, WTF?!?!?!?!?! Quote
jazzbo Posted 15 hours ago Report Posted 15 hours ago On 8/4/2015 at 4:16 PM, soulpope said: Me believe the Vegh cycle recorded in 1972 and released by Naive is a worthy option ..... Expand I love that Quartet. What a cellist! Quote
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