[Barbebleu]

Everyone has their favorites and you will probably see the same dozen or so recommendations. Much of it depends on how much you want to spend and how much comparative listening you want to do.

I have over a dozen sets and I personally like the sets from Alban Berg Quartett and Quartteto Italiano the best.

Yep those are the two. Still have a soft spot for the Amadeus Quartet.

 

[chill782002]

For the greatest Quartet cycle, I don`t that there ever can be a "best" recorded set. I have most of the most of the sets listed, and a number of single CD`s. While I use the Quartetto Italiano recordings as a sort of reference, I think all the groups that have recorded the music bring their own valid view points to their perfomances.
a note on the Budapest Quartet.; As very young University student ( I entered a year sooner then most)I heard their last concert in New York City. At the time I had 4 or 5 recordings of Chamber Music, but this was my first "live" Chamber Music concert. They played in a hall very close to my school, and for 2$ I took a chance. The only work that they performed that I recall and knew was the Debussy Quartet.
If H.G. Wells Time Machine was available, I would be on it so that I could hear that concert again.

Wow, thanks for sharing that memory. I'm very envious.

 

[wkasimer]

The Tokyo set is very good. It is much better than the SACD set recorded by the Quartets final line up on Harmonia Munda--and much cheaper.

I agree. Sonic aside, I found their remake disappointing.

The Alexander on Foghorn is my "go-to" set, although I wouldn't part with the Hungarians or the first Tokyo.

 

[fluteman]

Agree completely. I keep recommending aset that no one else has, namely the Hungarian Quartet. I first learned the music from their set of Seraphim lps and was able to purchase the CDs from a French import site. All of the above refers to their early 1960s Stereo set. Warner has just released their early 50s mono set for something like $8 and it's very fine as well.
The Tokyo set is very good. It is much better than the SACD set recorded by the Quartets final line up on Harmonia Munda--and much cheaper

Who says no one else has the Hungarian quartet set? I think it came in three boxes, and I have at least one or two of them. I know I have the op. 18 box for sure, and it's very good. For the late quartets, the LaSalle on DG is very good too.
Just kidding, by the way. I know you meant no one else has recommended them.

 

[Quartetfore]

I agree. Sonic aside, I found their remake disappointing.

The Alexander on Foghorn is my "go-to" set, although I wouldn't part with the Hungarians or the first Tokyo.

Their first complete recording was very good, but I think the second is even better. Since they are located in San Francisco the name of their label is fitting. Off the Beethoven Quartets for a moment, the Alexander`s Shostakovich recordings are top notich

 

[damianjb1]

I think the recordings by the Takacs Quartet should meet your requirements.

Thank you - I'll definitely check that one out.

 

[damianjb1]

You know, this topic has been talked to death already.

All one has to do is a search and you would have found a gazillion recommendations.

As has been stated already here and many other places on TC, the older Tokyo set on RCA is incredible in its consistent excellence throughout the set. A great string quartet in its prime.

I did in fact do several searches search but kept getting errors - but thank you anyway.

 

[48486]

Vegh Quartet
Takács Quartet
Alban Berg Quartet

I'd add the Kodály Quartet (Naxos) as well

 

[Robeck]

The Aris Quartet, IMHO the best newcomer in the last years, is putting out beethoven 59/3 and 131 on the market on September 8, 2017. I got the CD already and it is superb.

 

[Mal]

I have the Takács Quartet for the middle and late quartets and recommend them without reservation.

For the early quartets, op.18 (1-6), i have the Tokyo Quartet. The Tokyo sound quality is superb; in a direct comparison of #1 on Spotify I thought the sound quality was slightly better the Takács, fuller and more realistic. I also felt the performance was a bit livelier. BUT throughout op.18 there seemed something slightly superficial about the Tokyo quartet performances. A Guardian reviewer expressed this well:

"The Tokyo Quartet continues to prize beauty of sound and smoothness of articulation above all other musical qualities, … but ... the phrasing here is far too manufactured and uniform, the expressiveness applied like toothpaste from a tube… the Tokyo seem to skate over profundity." https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/nov/25/beethoven-late-quartets-tokyo-string-review

I agree with this, in relation to Op.18. In the later quartets, I never feel the Takács Quartet are manufactured or uniform They are always spontaneous, varied, and interesting. They also maintain beauty of sound and great articulation. Also, I see they now have a box set of the complete quartets at a reasonable price. If I was starting out I'd buy that box set.

But you are never going to get "everything" from one box set. Maybe the Tokyo box set would be a good second purchase, if sound quality and beauty of sound are your priorities. If you want greater inspiration and depth, with slightly compromised sound quality, then the Busch quartet may be the way to go.

 

[Polyphemus]

So many superb sets available. Hungarians, Italians , Alban Bergs, Takacs etc.
However I would hate to look at my shelves and not see the Lindsays there.
For me way up there with the best.

 

[Reichstag aus LICHT]

The cycle to which I most return is that by the Talich Quartet; they have an "airiness" of tone which I find particularly appealing, and running them a close second are the sets by the Takács Quartet and Quartetto Italiano. More recently, the Endellion, Belcea and Alexander String Quartet (their second cycle on Foghorn Classics) have been very impressive.

 

[Merl]

Love lots. Alexander, Italiano, Alban Berg and Tokyo are all excellent.

 

[Merl]

As as Vegh and Fitwilliam.

 

[hpowders]

Agree completely. I keep recommending aset that no one else has, namely the Hungarian Quartet. I first learned the music from their set of Seraphim lps and was able to purchase the CDs from a French import site. All of the above refers to their early 1960s Stereo set. Warner has just released their early 50s mono set for something like $8 and it's very fine as well.
The Tokyo set is very good. It is much better than the SACD set recorded by the Quartets final line up on Harmonia Munda--and much cheaper

Yes. I believe I too had the Hungarian Quartet's Beethoven cycle way back when. The older Tokyo Quartet's recording is extremely satisfying to my ears. But I practically need a crane to lift it off my shelf-a more bulky packaging, I have never seen.

 

[Triplets]

Yes. I believe I too had the Hungarian Quartet's Beethoven cycle way back when. The older Tokyo Quartet's recording is extremely satisfying to my ears. But I practically need a crane to lift it off my shelf-a more bulky packaging, I have never seen.

I vaugely remember being dismayed with the packaging, but I burned it to hard drive and disposed of it.

 

[Gordontrek]

The Alexander String Quartet has an excellent set. In particular I'm extremely impressed by their recordings of the late Beethoven string quartets. Nos. 14 and 15 in this set are remarkable.

 

[Merl]

The Alexander String Quartet has an excellent set. In particular I'm extremely impressed by their recordings of the late Beethoven string quartets. Nos. 14 and 15 in this set are remarkable.

Superb set. Great shout.

 

[David Phillips]

For the spiritual dimension in these works, I'd go for the Busch Quartet.

 

[wkasimer]

Re the Alexander Quartet:

Their first complete recording was very good, but I think the second is even better.

Not only is the sound much better on the second set, but the change in first violinist made a huge difference.