I know it's a tough one,
But what are your top 5 Beethoven string quartet cycles?
Thanks
But what are your top 5 Beethoven string quartet cycles?
Thanks
Itullian
As you know, Itullian, I'm as daft as you for collecting LVB SQ cycles (I just picked up the Gewandhaus on cd this week even though I have it digitally but I couldn't turn it down for a tenner). Trying to choose a favourite 5 is near impossible as there's so many I like so I won't commit myself to a top 5 however I will say that there are some very consistent cycles out there. I will say that the cycles below are made up of generally very high quality performances (but others will disagree and say others). We are truly spoiled for Beethoven SQ sets.
Smetana 2
Artemis
Prazak
Ebene
Takacs
Alexander 2
Leipziger
Gewandhaus
Italiano
Alban Berg 1
Tokyo 1
Vegh 2
Suske
Really I could go on...... I like way more than those and as I've found out many cycles out there have at least one killer performance in them.
Smetana 2
Artemis
Prazak
Ebene
Takacs
Alexander 2
Leipziger
Gewandhaus
Italiano
Alban Berg 1
Tokyo 1
Vegh 2
Suske
Really I could go on...... I like way more than those and as I've found out many cycles out there have at least one killer performance in them.
Takacs
Vegh stereo
Italiano
Lindsay (controversial, I know...)
Budapest
Honorable mentions: Auryn, ABQ, Juilliard (did they do a complete set?), Wihan, Alexander on Naive
Vegh stereo
Italiano
Lindsay (controversial, I know...)
Budapest
Honorable mentions: Auryn, ABQ, Juilliard (did they do a complete set?), Wihan, Alexander on Naive
The Juilliards did a few (mostly late, opp.95,131,132,135?) quartets around 1960 for RCA but the "complete" cycle on Sony/CBS has middle quartets from the mid-1960s and another recording of the late quartets ca. 1970.
I think there is only one more complete recording from the digital age (1980s) but some more singles. So it seems more like two full cycles and two incomplete ones.
I think there is only one more complete recording from the digital age (1980s) but some more singles. So it seems more like two full cycles and two incomplete ones.
. I agree with you about the Di Cremona set too which frustrates me. Some performances are superb but others are highly nuanced. There's few I wouldn't recommend tbh. I will say avoid the Barylli for the late quartets (they really don't have a clue but are fine in the earliest and middles) and the Vanbrugh just because there's few stand-out performances, it's not brilliantly recorded either. These days I rarely play the Medicis but there's nothing wrong with their cycle, it's just that so many others play them with much more character. I tend to avoid the Lindsays first cycle as the intonation sucks, the first Wihan cycle as it sounds like it was recorded in a cave (their 2nd one is much better) and the celebrated Amadeus early 60s set as I find it a bit 'magnolia' (but not on every quartet).My top five (listed in no particular order), & I should add that I find these five cycles compliment each other particularly well:
1. Smetana Quartet, Denon/Supraphon. There is also an earlier 1960s Beethoven cycle from the Smetana Quartet, as well, but only the Late Quartets have been issued to date (by Supraphon--here's a link:
). As for the Smetana's later 1976-85 Beethoven cycle for Denon (which is partly digital, partly analogue), the players were older musicians by that time, and indeed retired soon after finishing the cycle. So, the strength of the Smetana's Denon set isn't so much in their performances of the more 'classical' Early Quartets, as it is in the Middle & especially the Late Quartets, which they had been playing for decades. Supraphon has recently reissued the Denon cycle in 24-bit remasters. Here's a You Tube link to the Late Quartets from the Supraphon/Denon set, along with the rest of the cycle--just scroll up, if interested:
.
2. Alban Berg Quartet, Studio EMI--their first cycle. Only the Late Quartets in this cycle were digitally recorded, while the Early & Middle Quartets are analogue recordings. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, EMI has never bothered to remaster these recordings since their initial release on CD in the 1980s! (though it's possible that they've been remastered in Japan since...?). To my ears, this cycle most shows its age, sound-wise, in the analogue recordings from the late 1970s; that is, via the 1980s CD remasters (though the LPs & any possible recent Japanese remasters may be a different story...). Which is why I'd like to see the Berg's 1st cycle newly remastered in DSD (or AMSI). Generally speaking, I prefer the Berg's playing on their EMI studio cycle to the later live EMI cycle (which was recorded from a series of concerts given in Vienna that were also filmed). However, I do like the Late Quartets from the live cycle. Nevertheless, both are terrific cycles, and technically speaking, the Bergs are more secure than most groups. After all, this was a quartet whose remarkable technical address served to raise the standard of string quartet playing back in the 1970s & 80s, which along with their teaching & coaching of young quartets, helped to give birth to the 'golden age' of string quartet playing that we are presently enjoying today, with so many exceptionally fine quartet groups on the scene.
--The following You Tube clips appear to be a mixture of the Alban Berg Quartet's two cycles:
.
--Here too is the Alban Berg Quartet playing the Beethoven quartet that I would consider to be his greatest chamber work, Quartet No. 15, Op. 132, & the performance is drawn from the Berg's live cycle in Vienna:
3. Quarteto Italiano, Philips--The primary reason that I would strongly recommend Quartetto Italiano's Beethoven cycle is to hear their beautiful slow movements, & especially in the Late Quartets. For me, only the Smetana Quartet on Denon & possibly the Takacs Quartet & live Bergs are able to find a similar depth of insight into these movements.
Quartetto Italiano:
--String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132:
--Middle "Rasumovsky" Quartets:
4. Gewandhaus-Quartett, NCA (digital)--In contrast to the other groups, the Gewandhaus-Quartett takes a more refined, classical approach to Beethoven's quartets. Their playing is also fairly HIP, as they claim to play in a much older Beethoven tradition that was passed down to them, generation by generation, over the long existence of this quartet: Indeed, the Gewandhaus-Quartett is the oldest consecutive string quartet in the world, having premiered a number of these quartets for Beethoven himself! To my ears, their approach is not dissimilar to the style of string playing found in the Gewandhaus Orchestra during the Masur years. I'd describe the playing as 'Mendelssohnian', if that makes sense. & it pays off big in the quartets & movements where an extra degree of textural clarity is a real advantage, such as in the more classically orientated Early Quartets, and in the 'traffic jam' that is the Grosse Fuge, etc.. However, I wish that NCA had released these recordings on Hybrid SACD, as they did with most of the other digital recordings by this excellent group. The CD sound is fine, but it could have been something more special.
--Quartet No. 5, Op. 18--in my estimation, this is a great performance:
--Grosse Fuge in B flat Major, Op. 133:
4 1/2. For a viable & possibly even preferable alternative to the Gewandhaus-Quartett, I also like the Süske Quartett, who play in the same Leipzig string tradition. (This cycle was released by Berlin Classics & later Brilliant, but I slightly prefer the sound on the Berlin CDs.) Which isn't too surprising, considering that their 1st violinist, Karl Süske, was a former member of both the Gewandhaus-Quartett and 1st violinist of the Gewandhaus Orchestra, and also the father of Conrad Süske, who is the current 1st violinist of the Gewandhaus-Quartett (a group that have long tended to keep their successors within the family).
--The Süske Quartet cycle (analogue):
5. Takacs Quartet, Decca. This is a very fine modern cycle. But unfortunately, I've never been crazy about the sound engineering that the Decca gave the Takacs, as the violins can grate on me at times (which I admit may be partly a stereo dependent issue...). However, the sound problems were supposedly fixed in Decca's later remastering of the cycle, as the reissue offers a much improved sound quality according to the reviews that I've read. Unfortunately, the single box set reissue stayed in print only briefly & is now hard to find. (I missed it myself & am waiting for a reissue.)
--The Takacs Quartet cycle--here's a YT link to the latest remastered versions:
With that said, I'm still searching for a new cycle that offers the rare combination of playing that is on the same level as my 5 favorite sets above, but also comes in the latest 'state of the art' audiophile DSD sound. I haven't found it yet. (Quartetto di Cremona and the Prazak Quartet--who I normally like, both disappointed me with their hybrid SACD cycles, and I only know a small portion of Cuarteto Casals' recent cycle.) Maybe when the Merel Quartet finishes their new cycle, we'll have one? But if not the Merels, then one of the many other remarkable quartets today. The time is certainly ripe for a great new cycle to appear in audiophile sound.
1. Smetana Quartet, Denon/Supraphon. There is also an earlier 1960s Beethoven cycle from the Smetana Quartet, as well, but only the Late Quartets have been issued to date (by Supraphon--here's a link:
2. Alban Berg Quartet, Studio EMI--their first cycle. Only the Late Quartets in this cycle were digitally recorded, while the Early & Middle Quartets are analogue recordings. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, EMI has never bothered to remaster these recordings since their initial release on CD in the 1980s! (though it's possible that they've been remastered in Japan since...?). To my ears, this cycle most shows its age, sound-wise, in the analogue recordings from the late 1970s; that is, via the 1980s CD remasters (though the LPs & any possible recent Japanese remasters may be a different story...). Which is why I'd like to see the Berg's 1st cycle newly remastered in DSD (or AMSI). Generally speaking, I prefer the Berg's playing on their EMI studio cycle to the later live EMI cycle (which was recorded from a series of concerts given in Vienna that were also filmed). However, I do like the Late Quartets from the live cycle. Nevertheless, both are terrific cycles, and technically speaking, the Bergs are more secure than most groups. After all, this was a quartet whose remarkable technical address served to raise the standard of string quartet playing back in the 1970s & 80s, which along with their teaching & coaching of young quartets, helped to give birth to the 'golden age' of string quartet playing that we are presently enjoying today, with so many exceptionally fine quartet groups on the scene.
--The following You Tube clips appear to be a mixture of the Alban Berg Quartet's two cycles:
--Here too is the Alban Berg Quartet playing the Beethoven quartet that I would consider to be his greatest chamber work, Quartet No. 15, Op. 132, & the performance is drawn from the Berg's live cycle in Vienna:
3. Quarteto Italiano, Philips--The primary reason that I would strongly recommend Quartetto Italiano's Beethoven cycle is to hear their beautiful slow movements, & especially in the Late Quartets. For me, only the Smetana Quartet on Denon & possibly the Takacs Quartet & live Bergs are able to find a similar depth of insight into these movements.
Quartetto Italiano:
--String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132:
4. Gewandhaus-Quartett, NCA (digital)--In contrast to the other groups, the Gewandhaus-Quartett takes a more refined, classical approach to Beethoven's quartets. Their playing is also fairly HIP, as they claim to play in a much older Beethoven tradition that was passed down to them, generation by generation, over the long existence of this quartet: Indeed, the Gewandhaus-Quartett is the oldest consecutive string quartet in the world, having premiered a number of these quartets for Beethoven himself! To my ears, their approach is not dissimilar to the style of string playing found in the Gewandhaus Orchestra during the Masur years. I'd describe the playing as 'Mendelssohnian', if that makes sense. & it pays off big in the quartets & movements where an extra degree of textural clarity is a real advantage, such as in the more classically orientated Early Quartets, and in the 'traffic jam' that is the Grosse Fuge, etc.. However, I wish that NCA had released these recordings on Hybrid SACD, as they did with most of the other digital recordings by this excellent group. The CD sound is fine, but it could have been something more special.
--Quartet No. 5, Op. 18--in my estimation, this is a great performance:
--Grosse Fuge in B flat Major, Op. 133:
4 1/2. For a viable & possibly even preferable alternative to the Gewandhaus-Quartett, I also like the Süske Quartett, who play in the same Leipzig string tradition. (This cycle was released by Berlin Classics & later Brilliant, but I slightly prefer the sound on the Berlin CDs.) Which isn't too surprising, considering that their 1st violinist, Karl Süske, was a former member of both the Gewandhaus-Quartett and 1st violinist of the Gewandhaus Orchestra, and also the father of Conrad Süske, who is the current 1st violinist of the Gewandhaus-Quartett (a group that have long tended to keep their successors within the family).
--The Süske Quartet cycle (analogue):
5. Takacs Quartet, Decca. This is a very fine modern cycle. But unfortunately, I've never been crazy about the sound engineering that the Decca gave the Takacs, as the violins can grate on me at times (which I admit may be partly a stereo dependent issue...). However, the sound problems were supposedly fixed in Decca's later remastering of the cycle, as the reissue offers a much improved sound quality according to the reviews that I've read. Unfortunately, the single box set reissue stayed in print only briefly & is now hard to find. (I missed it myself & am waiting for a reissue.)
--The Takacs Quartet cycle--here's a YT link to the latest remastered versions:
With that said, I'm still searching for a new cycle that offers the rare combination of playing that is on the same level as my 5 favorite sets above, but also comes in the latest 'state of the art' audiophile DSD sound. I haven't found it yet. (Quartetto di Cremona and the Prazak Quartet--who I normally like, both disappointed me with their hybrid SACD cycles, and I only know a small portion of Cuarteto Casals' recent cycle.) Maybe when the Merel Quartet finishes their new cycle, we'll have one? But if not the Merels, then one of the many other remarkable quartets today. The time is certainly ripe for a great new cycle to appear in audiophile sound.
My top 5, sort of in order of preference....
1. Talich Quartet
2. Gewandhaus Quartet
3. Smetana Quartet
4. Quartetto Italiano
5. A toss-up between the Endellion Quartet and the later Vegh Quartet.
I note that this is a similar selection to Josquin's above, not identical, but similar. I was also tempted to squeeze in the wonderful Suske set too, but five means five, ok six...!
I too feel my choices compliment each other well, although I myself find the Gewandhaus more exciting than classical in their approach. As far as I am concerned, nobody beats the Talich set for good old-fashioned Innigkeit......
25 complete sets and counting, a mere half-hearted amateur compared to the illustrious Merl and Itullian :tiphat:
1. Talich Quartet
2. Gewandhaus Quartet
3. Smetana Quartet
4. Quartetto Italiano
5. A toss-up between the Endellion Quartet and the later Vegh Quartet.
I note that this is a similar selection to Josquin's above, not identical, but similar. I was also tempted to squeeze in the wonderful Suske set too, but five means five, ok six...!
I too feel my choices compliment each other well, although I myself find the Gewandhaus more exciting than classical in their approach. As far as I am concerned, nobody beats the Talich set for good old-fashioned Innigkeit......
25 complete sets and counting, a mere half-hearted amateur compared to the illustrious Merl and Itullian :tiphat:
The RCA Beethoven appeared in one of the larger Juilliard boxes and before that partly on Testament. I have not heard any of them but apparently some listeners prefer the RCA opp.131+132.
I have "only" about 5 complete cycles: Hungarian Q stereo/EMI, Juilliard Sony 1960s/70s, Vegh stereo/Naive, Melos/DG, Musikverein/Platz but lots of partial cycles (e.g. Emerson Q. sans op.18, late quartets with Yale, Smetana, LaSalle) and single recordings. By now I have reached a saturation point, I got one volume of the Casals but haven't bothered with any complete cycles for years.
The historically most important not quite complete cycle is probably by the Busch quartet.
Among my favorite more recent recordings are those by the Hagen quartet who are also still a few quartets short of complete (I think op.59/3, 74 and one or two of op.18 are still missing)
I have "only" about 5 complete cycles: Hungarian Q stereo/EMI, Juilliard Sony 1960s/70s, Vegh stereo/Naive, Melos/DG, Musikverein/Platz but lots of partial cycles (e.g. Emerson Q. sans op.18, late quartets with Yale, Smetana, LaSalle) and single recordings. By now I have reached a saturation point, I got one volume of the Casals but haven't bothered with any complete cycles for years.
The historically most important not quite complete cycle is probably by the Busch quartet.
Among my favorite more recent recordings are those by the Hagen quartet who are also still a few quartets short of complete (I think op.59/3, 74 and one or two of op.18 are still missing)
In the early-mid-2000s I collected all the single Hagen discs, all the Petersen (missing are opp. 18/5, 59,1+3,74) and a few of the Auryn and Artemis. The first two never finished their cycles, I found the Auryn a bit bland and when the Artemis later came in a box I also felt that I had enough Beethoven quartets. I also got some of the earlyish (1980s-90s) HIP recordings (Turner and Smithson op.18, op.59/3+18/4 with Schuppanzigh, they picked unfortunately two of my least favorite Beethoven quartets...) but while they are very good I have never been convinced of clear benefits of the HIP approach for Beethoven (or Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn) string quartets.
I find the Busch more distinctive than the other (more but not quite complete) historical (1930s/40s) set by the Budapest. They might be technically better but basically "early modern", i.e. one can get a generally similar style in much better sound quality etc.
I find the Busch more distinctive than the other (more but not quite complete) historical (1930s/40s) set by the Budapest. They might be technically better but basically "early modern", i.e. one can get a generally similar style in much better sound quality etc.
Tokyo 2. There's so much more going on with this cycle than people seem willing or able to acknowledge. Don't dismiss it; for me it's one of the most insightful cycles.
Emerson. One of the most underrated cycles (meaning around here), but it set a new standard. I wish I hadn't avoided it for so many years.
Italiano. So gloriously musical!
Tokyo 1. Just really good, and very consistent.
Guarneri. A bit hit and miss, I confess, but the hits are knockouts.
On my radar as a "I need to get this": Leipziger Streichquartett
A standard recommendation I could not freakin' stand: Lindsay. I don't get it's popularity at all. Such ugly playing, such wretched intonation. Vegh gets recommended a lot, but I never heard that cycle as particularly special or insightful, either. YMMV
Emerson. One of the most underrated cycles (meaning around here), but it set a new standard. I wish I hadn't avoided it for so many years.
Italiano. So gloriously musical!
Tokyo 1. Just really good, and very consistent.
Guarneri. A bit hit and miss, I confess, but the hits are knockouts.
On my radar as a "I need to get this": Leipziger Streichquartett
A standard recommendation I could not freakin' stand: Lindsay. I don't get it's popularity at all. Such ugly playing, such wretched intonation. Vegh gets recommended a lot, but I never heard that cycle as particularly special or insightful, either. YMMV
1. Busch Quartet (Nos. 1, 9, 11-16, Grosse fugue) (Pearl, EMI, Sony, Arbiter)
2. Budapest Quartet (Bridge)
3. Vegh Quartet (Valois)
4. Hungarian Quartet (Erato, EMI)
5. Hollywood Quartet (Nos. 12-16) (Testament)
6. Talich Quartet (Calliope)
7. Italian Quartet (Philips)
9. Lindsay Quartet (ASV)
9. Takacs Quartet (Decca)
10. Alban Berg Quartet (EMI)
.
2. Budapest Quartet (Bridge)
3. Vegh Quartet (Valois)
4. Hungarian Quartet (Erato, EMI)
5. Hollywood Quartet (Nos. 12-16) (Testament)
6. Talich Quartet (Calliope)
7. Italian Quartet (Philips)
9. Lindsay Quartet (ASV)
9. Takacs Quartet (Decca)
10. Alban Berg Quartet (EMI)
.
And the early 1970s Melos on Intercord is not very good; their op.59,2+3 was the first Beethoven quartet disc I ever bought, but I had heard a few others before that)
Their Melos DG deserves more recognition than it receives, I think and this might be because of unavailability since the mid/late 1990s or so, but I am biased because this was my first complete recording of the quartets I bought with money I got for my 18th birthday...
The recordings of the Koeckert quartet that was rather famous in the 1950s/60s and preceded the Amadeus as the "house quartet" of DG, have mostly vanished from the catalogue.
There are probably a few more examples.
Their Melos DG deserves more recognition than it receives, I think and this might be because of unavailability since the mid/late 1990s or so, but I am biased because this was my first complete recording of the quartets I bought with money I got for my 18th birthday...
The recordings of the Koeckert quartet that was rather famous in the 1950s/60s and preceded the Amadeus as the "house quartet" of DG, have mostly vanished from the catalogue.
There are probably a few more examples.
When I got interested in this music ca. 1989-90, the Emerson and Hagen were still on the margins with only a few recordings.
With shopping mostly restricted to local stores (and as a beginner still in high school I would not think of ordering expensive stuff from abroad) the Alban Berg Quartet was probably the dominant and best known ensemble, then Melos because DG was of course also well distributed and advertised. Next might have been the then recently disbanded Amadeus, the Guarneri, Vermeer or even Juilliard. The Melos had had their Beethoven "boxed" (it was the 3 3-disc-boxes in an additional cardboard) because of their 25th anniversary and it was almost half the price of the ABQ, despite being quite new recordings... The only cheaper option would have been the Hungarian? in mono, I wanted digital, of course.
I still think they are quite good, especially in the middle quartets.
They got replaced at DG by the Emersons in the 1990s and made a bunch or recordings for harmonia mundi.
DG has a poor track record for re-issuing chamber music. The analogue Melos recordings of the 70s (Schubert, Mozart, Cherubini,...) came out on CD usually once in the early 1990s and after they left the label there were no reissues. The LaSalle legacy has also not been treated very well, except for their 2nd viennese school recordings. The same with the Tokyo Quartet's Haydn, Bartok... And also the Hagen quartet's recordings after they left the label.
Let's rather do another Karajan edition, I guess...
With shopping mostly restricted to local stores (and as a beginner still in high school I would not think of ordering expensive stuff from abroad) the Alban Berg Quartet was probably the dominant and best known ensemble, then Melos because DG was of course also well distributed and advertised. Next might have been the then recently disbanded Amadeus, the Guarneri, Vermeer or even Juilliard. The Melos had had their Beethoven "boxed" (it was the 3 3-disc-boxes in an additional cardboard) because of their 25th anniversary and it was almost half the price of the ABQ, despite being quite new recordings... The only cheaper option would have been the Hungarian? in mono, I wanted digital, of course.
I still think they are quite good, especially in the middle quartets.
They got replaced at DG by the Emersons in the 1990s and made a bunch or recordings for harmonia mundi.
DG has a poor track record for re-issuing chamber music. The analogue Melos recordings of the 70s (Schubert, Mozart, Cherubini,...) came out on CD usually once in the early 1990s and after they left the label there were no reissues. The LaSalle legacy has also not been treated very well, except for their 2nd viennese school recordings. The same with the Tokyo Quartet's Haydn, Bartok... And also the Hagen quartet's recordings after they left the label.
Let's rather do another Karajan edition, I guess...
1. Guarneri's Philips Cycle
Powerful, vivid, subtle and to-the-point performance. Great interpretation for all the three periods. My current favorite set. Generally great sound quality despite the over-amplified bass.
2. Quartetto Italiano on Philips
Extremely well-balanced voices through the entire set which is rarely heard on recordings (just check the coda of the first movement of op.74). Rich, controlled, subtle performance. My favorite for late quartets (just check the slow movement of op.135). A few places in the mid quartets may be a bit lack of momentum. Excellent sound quality.
3. Gewandhaus quartet
Well-balanced, consistant, neatly done. Great overall quality of the performance. No exaggeration or short of emotions in mid and late quartets. A bit murky sound, but still better than a lot of sets.
4. Melos quartet on DG
Quite rich and energetic interpretation overall (might be a bit fast for some people). Good details but no over-do. Unlike Philips Recordings, the balance of the sound is a bit towards treble, but generally very good and clear.
5. Takacs quartet on Decca
Swift and neat performance in modern approach. Highly skillful playing and energetic interpretation. A bit lack of voice balance and details in a few pieces. Perfect sound quality.
Powerful, vivid, subtle and to-the-point performance. Great interpretation for all the three periods. My current favorite set. Generally great sound quality despite the over-amplified bass.
2. Quartetto Italiano on Philips
Extremely well-balanced voices through the entire set which is rarely heard on recordings (just check the coda of the first movement of op.74). Rich, controlled, subtle performance. My favorite for late quartets (just check the slow movement of op.135). A few places in the mid quartets may be a bit lack of momentum. Excellent sound quality.
3. Gewandhaus quartet
Well-balanced, consistant, neatly done. Great overall quality of the performance. No exaggeration or short of emotions in mid and late quartets. A bit murky sound, but still better than a lot of sets.
4. Melos quartet on DG
Quite rich and energetic interpretation overall (might be a bit fast for some people). Good details but no over-do. Unlike Philips Recordings, the balance of the sound is a bit towards treble, but generally very good and clear.
5. Takacs quartet on Decca
Swift and neat performance in modern approach. Highly skillful playing and energetic interpretation. A bit lack of voice balance and details in a few pieces. Perfect sound quality.
My personal Beethoven string quartet journey....
If you look through this thread you find some recommendations. Pay attention to a member offering free download of the Cleveland Quartet LP cycle from the 70's. It's a good one and the price is right.
My fav is The Fine Arts Quartet 1959-66. Great remastered sound. Low price at the time. I think I purchased from the Amaz place.
If you look through this thread you find some recommendations. Pay attention to a member offering free download of the Cleveland Quartet LP cycle from the 70's. It's a good one and the price is right.
My fav is The Fine Arts Quartet 1959-66. Great remastered sound. Low price at the time. I think I purchased from the Amaz place.
The Koeckert cycle has finally turned up in this form on Spotify as sets of the earlies, middles and lates. Before now they werent complete on Spotify and were individual performances in their original transfer form, which was not pleasant sounding. The new ones have a 2020 date on them and some investigation has revealed that DG did, in fact, remaster them before re-releasing them. They certainly sound much better but they're still a little dry. It's still just a solid set for me and others do it much better, in better sound, but I'd be interested what others thought who've heard them think. Due to its age you expect the Koeckert to be highly characterful but from what I've heard they're pretty good, standard but unspectacular readings.
This site may be of interest:
https://ionarts.blogspot.com/2017/10/a-survey-of-beethoven-string-quartet.html
https://ionarts.blogspot.com/2017/10/a-survey-of-beethoven-string-quartet.html
Well, despite the indifference expressed by a couple of gents here, I have bitten the bullet and bought the Koeckert's Late Quartets as a download. I have to say I am enjoying them very much, very fine playing, and the ear does quite quickly adjust to the rather dry and trebly sound. I must admit that the least convincing is in the glorious slow movements, especially Op.131 and 132, these are more Munch than Constable, and there are a couple of moments in the Grosse Fuge where things almost get unravelled.
But generally very very good indeed!
But generally very very good indeed!
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