Thread: String Quartet talks, what do you like etc ?

Being here for some weeks but haven't see talks dedicated for String Quartet.

Let me started mine :

I first seriously impressed by this form on Dvorak's famous no.12 'America' op.96 performed by Turtle Rock String Quartet. I remember then dig out from my collections another SQ called "Death and the Maiden " by Schubert, and of course very much like it. So after that I can't help myself and now end up like having 300 songs , I cataloq my collection base on movement so if average SQ get about 4 movements it will be around 75 works.

THen because I am more into pre-Beethoven era, Haydn, Mozart's SQ automatily become my favorites.

Musically I read that String Quartet is like a true test for a composer in composition because it has four voices only to exploid. culturally I also like because it just like a band where four peoples meet and start playing music.

so, like to heard from you what do you think on String Quartet. what ratio in your collections you have in String Quartet? what are your favorites ?

cheers

--edit--

I am only a notive classical listener so very welcome if some of you can share your review on certain String Quartet. Like I still in difficulty to "get in" much newer works like Bartok or Shostakovich.

I have to confess, I've had trouble enjoying string quartets in the past. There is something about a solo string instrument that can sound raspy or squawking to my ears. Put them together in a larger string ensemble and they sound sublime. I've never understood this phenomenon.

But of over the past few years I have explored string quartets -- and quintets, and piano trios and similar chamber genres that I used to skip over. Much as I love Beethoven's quartets, I find myself leaning toward the more modern when it comes to chamber music. The Shostakovich string quartets are remarkable and I enjoy the Borodin String Quartet performing them.

Some other string quartets I've enjoyed are the Mozart "Dissonant." Sorry I don't remember the number on that. Also an octet and a quintet by George Enescu in my collection have been very captivating.

Originally Posted by Weston

I have to confess, I've had trouble enjoying string quartets in the past. There is something about a solo string instrument that can sound raspy or squawking to my ears.

You may be on to something there. In recorded music, anyway, I've experienced exactly the same phenomenon— although I must hasten to add that it thankfully does not seem to carry over to live performance. I wonder if the 44.1 kHz sampling rate of standard CDs contributes to this. Perhaps when the SACD/DVD-Audio format war dust settles, I'll be able to test this theory firsthand. (I'm rooting for DVD-A. 24-bit, 96kHz full surround, baby!)

In any case, I'd recommend any of Haydn's quartets. More than any others, these are what inspired me to give the genre a second chance, after attending a free concert that was actually quite good! (What? Stop looking at me like that, it really was!)

Of course, given my penchant for modern music, I'd suggest you go for Debussy's Quartet in G minor (free legal download here; the live performance by the Badke Quartet starts 29 minutes in) as a bridge to the string quartets of Béla Bartók (free analysis lecture and performance of Bartók's Quartet No. 2 in A minor) and others of the modern era.

Edit: The entire lecture series, with a performance at the end of each, can be found here.

your experience with violin sounds also happens to me. especially the atonal thingy added more effect to this. I will never dare to play modern string quartet in my office since people will laugh on it.

Debussy Quartet in G minor is also my favorite, the other piece usually come together is Ravel's quartet in F. like the pizzicato here.

I also like string quartet + x in quintet or more. Schubert's Troit is a good recomendation. Paganini guitar quartet is my favorite.

If you search for String Quartet ensemble in Yahoo, most of the website offer free "demo" or recording, some have a nice quality to enjoy.

Originally Posted by jurianbai

especially the atonal thingy

Hey! Some of us happen to like atonal thingies...

And I second that vote for Schubert's "Trout," if we're expanding the category...

Have a listen to the Ravel Qtet which is incredibly rich considering the forces.

I simply love string quartets - to me is is like a fine pencil drawing as opposed to a full colored symphonic work. There is something very beautiful about the seeming simplicity of it and the transparency of the composition.



I have dabbled in beethoven, bartok, schubert, mendelssohn, shostakovich and others, but I am drawn most often to Haydn and Mozart. Particularly Haydn - I think his work absolutely brilliant and I find myself listening to his SQ's over and over (and over ) again.

Since the topic of quartet sound came up... its worth noting that I picked up several Haydn CDs recently (Op. 33, 76, 77) by the Quatuor Mosaïques on period instruments.. and it does have a warmer more earthy acoustic texture to it. Very Nice. I may have to pick these up on modern instrumentation to listen to a different take on those 3.

Originally Posted by jurianbai

...I first seriously impressed by this form on Dvorak's famous no.12 'America' op.96 performed by Turtle Rock String Quartet. ...

I have not heard Dvoraks America yet but have seen commentary of its merits. It is on my list to get it.

Originally Posted by phoenixshade

Hey! Some of us happen to like atonal thingies...

And I second that vote for Schubert's "Trout," if we're expanding the category...

some of atonal I can enjoyed also. but just different way to enjoy. apart from Bartok and Shostakovich which I would say "challenging" I also get 4 SQ from Schoenberg. this will keep you "awake" in every note also.

yeah, we can expand talks to string quartet + x + y ...... oh, need to quickly meantioned Boccherini Guitar quintet.

hi SPR,

listen to Haydn Quartet is an amazing experience, couldn't agree more.

I like Dvorak , Debussy and Ravel for the implementation of exotic scales into their SQ.

I love the Haydn quartets, he was a master in composing quartets, there aren't any "bad" quartets in his opus, I was amazed when I listened to his opus 17 and found out that it's also a great opus, I like even the opus 1 and 2 -he was a master from the beginning.
I have the performances of the Kodaly quartet, and sometimes I really hate them, they sound SOO dissonant sometimes, when I first listened to the bird quartet (opus 33) I was first disappointed because of the sound, I really don't know why it does it happen....

My initial resistance to string quartets was fuelled by the fact on first hearing one (by Haydn, I believe), I expected the kind of sound made by many more stringed instruments playing together. Such was the extent of my ignorance in my early days of listening to classical music.

Then a revelation came (well, two, actually). The First String Quartet by Smetana and the Second String Quartet by Borodin totally changed my opinion of the form. Now I'm utterly addicted to string quartets.

A few favourites:


Ravel - String Quartet in F

Grieg - First String Quartet

Smetana - First String Quartet

Borodin - Second String Quartet

Janacek - Second String Quartet

Bartok - Fourth String Quartet

Nancarrow - Third String Quartet


As can be seen, my preference is for string quartets that came much later than those of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. Which is not to say that I don't also enjoy such works by these illustrious names - just that I'd rather listen to string qurtets that were written after theirs.

FK

Kuhlau, we seem to have similar tastes in quartets. I'll have to check out the ones I'm not familiar with (namely, the Borodin and the Nancarrow).

I had the same kind epiphany regarding violin sonatas when I first heard Debussy's (beautifully played by Akiko Suwanai on YouTube.)

Originally Posted by phoenixshade

Kuhlau, we seem to have similar tastes in quartets. I'll have to check out the ones I'm not familiar with (namely, the Borodin and the Nancarrow).

If I may sound a note of caution, the Borodin and Nancarrow string quartets I've listed are markedly different from one another. So don't be surprised if you prefer one over the other.

Oh, I listened again to Janacek's First String Quartet last night - equally as stunning as his Second String Quartet.

FK

alright, this getting hot.

I dont have Smetana 1st String Quartet but the no.2 "From My Life" is with me quite long. As well as Janacek no.1 and no.2 "Intimidate Letter". Grieg and Borodin unfortunely get only fragmented movement, Borodin 2nd SQ, 3rd mov - Nocturne may be can be found in most Borodin "top ten" compilation, the same goes to Tchaikovsky SQ no.1 2nd mov - Andante cantabile and the overplayed (ok, its good) Barber Adagio for String op.11 .

How about more recommendation to take a look:

modern :
Antheil - String Quartet no.2 and no.3
Elliot Carter - String Quartet no.2
Otomar Kvech - String Quartet no.7

the American composers :
Roger Session - String Quartet no.2
Charles Ives - String Quartet no.1 From the Salvation Army
Ernest Bloch - String Quartet no.2