- Audio CD (Feb 18 1997)
- Number of Discs: 3
- Format: Import
- Label: SRI Canada
- ASIN: B000003GJU
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Track Listings
| 1. Qt No.16 in F, Op.135: I. Allegretto | |||
| 2. Qt No.16 in F, Op.135: II. Vivace | |||
| 3. Qt No.16 in F, Op.135: III. Lento Assai, Cantante E Tranquillo | |||
| 4. Qt No.16 in F, Op.135: IV. Der Schwer Gefasste Entschluss: Grave, Ma Non Troppo Tratto-Allegro | |||
| 5. Qt No.15 in a, Op.132: I. Assai Sostenuto | |||
| 6. Qt No.15 in a, Op.132: II. Allegro Ma Non Tanto | |||
| 7. Qt No.15 in a, Op.132: III. Heiliger Dankgesang Eines Genesenden An Die Gottheit... | |||
| 8. Qt No.15 in a, Op.132: IV. Alla Marcia, Assai Vivace | |||
| 9. Qt No.15 in a, Op.132: V. Allegro Appassionato | |||
| 10. Qt No.14 in c#, Op.131: I. Adagio Ma Non Troppo E Molto Espressivo | |||
| 11. Qt No.14 in c#, Op.131: II. Allegro Molto Vivace | |||
| 12. Qt No.14 in c#, Op.131: III. Allegro Moderato | |||
| 13. Qt No.14 in c#, Op.131: IV. Andante Ma Non Troppo E Molto Cantabile-Piu Mosso-Andante Moderato.. | |||
| 14. Qt No.14 in c#, Op.131: V. Presto | |||
| 15. Qt No.14 in c#, Op.131: VI. Adagio Quasi Un Poco Andante | |||
| 16. Qt No.14 in c#, Op.131: VII. Allegro | |||
| 17. Qt No.12 in E flat, Op.127: I. Maestoso-Allegro | |||
| 18. Qt No.12 in E flat, Op.127: II. Adagio Ma Non E Troppo E Molto Cantabile-Andante Con Moto-Adagio... | |||
| 19. Qt No.12 in E flat, Op.127: III. Scherzando Vivace-Presto | |||
| 20. Qt No.12 in E flat, Op.127: IV. Finale | |||
See all 27 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Amazon.ca
This three-CD set presents live performances from the Library of Congress by the most famous chamber ensemble of them all. Dates range from 1941 to 1960, capturing the Budapest in its prime. Compared with their more sedate, though still hugely impressive studio recordings, the group plays here with greater abandon and risk-taking. It pays off handsomely in more nuanced phrasing, greater intensity, especially in slow movements, and some recklessly fast speeds that add to the thrills. As expected, the 1960 performances are better-sounding sonically, though not completely without intonation problems; the earlier performances are almost flawless, but in boxy, dated sound. These interpretations still stand high among the best available, presenting a highly dramatic, thrustful Beethoven with the added excitement only live concert performances can give. --Dan Davis
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Audio CD
As much as I love the Budapesters I couldn't get past the quality of the library recordings. You cannot hear the instruments articulate very well in some parts. I don't know if this is because the library has poor acoustics or the microphones where placed incorrectly. You loose some notes and even whole phrases at times in a blurr. The studio recordings are far superior in sound quality. If you already have these quartets in a modern recording and just want to add the superiority of the Budapesters then I would recommend this set so long as you know that there are sound limitations. If this is your first buy of these quartets I recommend buying the scattered and incomplete Sony Essential Classics recordings of the Budapesters playing these pieces. I know the CD generation will not like the library recordings, but if you are used to listening to music with a grain of salt for the quality of the recording then you can enjoy the library recordings.
Format:Audio CD
...This is a live performance at the Library of Congress. But it is THE LATE BEETHOVEN STRING QUARTETS.
This is GREAT STUFF. These quartets have a very special and devoted audience because of their exquisite beauty. Most who hear them love these pieces very deeply. I think this is a common effect.
It is important to know that Beethoven explored things in these pieces that other musicians have been coming to grips with for well over a century and a half. These are not pieces about only charm and grace (although there is plenty of charm and grace in these pieces). These are pieces that go deep into the human soul.
If you listen very closely these pieces can seem awfully strange. But if you listen even more closely their wonder shines through. Then awhile later you realize they own you and they become transcendent and they become a special part of your life.
For extra fun, get the Dover edition of the score of the complete Beethoven String Quartets and follow along.
The sound of these recordings is awfully good for their age, but don't expect it sounding like it came from the latest equipment.
These pieces are so important that you will want to collect several versions of them. I also recommend the Guarneri Quartet recordings. There are several others.
By Derek Lee
Format:Audio CD
This set of recordings is absolutely incredible. The depth of feeling that the Budapest puts into this music very persuasively depicts the spiritual intensity that Beethoven put into composing this music. Beethoven's last five quartet and the Grosse Fuge are quite possibly the single greatest pieces of music ever written, and the Budapest plays the music like they are. Incidentally, I must respectfully disagree with the previous review; I find the Heiliger Dankgesang completely satisfying; The Budapest plays it just right, giving the slow lyrical passages an almost unbelievably deep tone quality, and contrasting this beautifully with the bright, cheerful passages, which are performed to perfection. Very highly recommended, one of the best recordings I have.
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