String Quartets Nos 1 & 2

Track Listings

1. String Quartet No. 1 In A Major- Moderato Allegro

2. Andante Con Moto

3. Scherzo Prestissimo

4. Andante Allegro Risoluto

5. String Quartet No. 2 In D Major- Allegro Moderato

6. Scherzo Allegro

7. Nocturne Andante

8. Finale Andante Vivace

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
BMG.

Tracks:

String quartet in G major, op.76 no.1: Allegro con spirito
String quartet in G major, op.76 no.1: Adagio sostenuto
String quartet in G major, op.76 no.1: Menuetto: Presto
String quartet in G major, op.76 no.1: Finale: Allegro ma non troppo
String quartet in D minor, op.76 no.2: Allegro
String quartet in D minor, op.76 no.2: Andante o piu tosto allegretto
String quartet in D minor, op.76 no.2: Allegro ma non troppo
String quartet in D minor, op.76 no.2: Vivace assai
String quartet in C major, op.76 no.3: : Allegro
String quartet in C major, op.76 no.3: Poco adagio, cantabile
String quartet in C major, op.76 no.3: Menuetto: Allegro
String quartet in C major, op.76 no.3: Finale: Presto

Customer Reviews:

Buy This!.......2007-05-20

Whether you are a Haydn connosieur, or even a newbie curious in regard to this work (perhaps the greatest achievement in String Quartet history), this recording is outstanding. Although I might put the historically performed rendition of these works by the Quatuor Mosaique on a higher level of preference, it's simply my own personal taste (I often prefer performances of these works on period instruments...you might not). You can't go wrong with this cd. All the music is brought out in striking fashion by the Kodaly Q.

Don't even consider this one too much: GET it.

Here we go again trying words.......2006-06-04

Well, it is not often in my music collection of several hundred "classical" CD's that I find music that still moves me to tears. The quartets are so interesting for me on all levels and how could you find them better played? Many of Haydn's quartets are worth purchase but opus 76 has a special place in this genre. Every composer has a special area where he (not many she's unfortunately) has mastered. One thinks of Mozart and the operas or Beethoven and the symphonies. Well here is where Haydn has never been surpassed.

Unique Music.......2006-03-08

I don't really have add anything about this CD. The performances are excellent as is the recorded sound. I would like to say that new classical music lovers who have yet to advance to chamber music, should really enjoy this great music. The two named quartets are especially good with the finale of the 3rd quartet being one of my favorite movements in all of music.

Haydn at his most enjoyable and approachable.......2005-10-28

Do the recordings on this CD rank at the greatest of Haydn's work? IMHO, no (I reserve that for certain of his symphonies and masses); however, is everything you eat chock full of all of the nutrients you need with only the minimum amount of calories? The artists approach the music with style and delicacy. If you are or live with an aficionado of this musical era, I encourage you to add this CD to your/his/her collection.

wonderful recordings but be warned..........2005-09-22

if you are reading some of the other reviews saying that this music is as good as anything Mozart ever composed, beware. These quartets are excellent - and are worth owning if for no reason other than Haydn being an instrumental figure in the birth of the quartet as we know it. Haydn is credited with being a pioneer in developing independent voicing of all 4 instruments, and these mature late quartets show off his mastery of the form. However, these quartets are NOT Mozart. Haydn was an excellent composer, and while exceedingly original and inventive in his techniques and phrasings, his music does not resonate with the sheer genius of Mozart's late quartets (from K. 387 on). So if you are looking for something Mozartean here, you will not find it. If you are looking to discover more excellent music in the Classical style from the father of the Classical style, then you should definitely pick these discs up. Not only are the performances and recordings excellent, but at this price you cannot go wrong.

Average customer rating:

Lush & Exalted
A superb recording of the Borodin quartets
Priceless.
Run out now and buy! (Or e-mail now and buy...)
No. 1 is number one!

Borodin: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2
Borodin String Quartet , and Alexander Borodin
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tchaikovsky: String Quartets Nos. 1 - 3/Souvenir De Florence

ASIN: B000002ROX
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 1 In A: First Movement: Moderato - Allegro
String Quartet No. 1 In A: Second Movement: Andante con moto
String Quartet No. 1 In A: Third Movement: Scherzo (Prestissimo)
String Quartet No. 1 In A: Fourth Movement: Andante - Allegro risoluto
String Quartet No. 2 In D: First Movement: Allegro moderato
String Quartet No. 2 In D: Second Movement: Scherzo (Allegro)
String Quartet No. 2 In D: Third Movement: Notturno (Andante)
String Quartet No. 2 In D: Fourth Movement: Finale (Andante - Vivace)

Amazon.com

The Borodin Quartet plays the music of its namesake as to the manner born. Theirs is a beautiful, lush realization of this lyrical work, polished and full of nuance, and well-served by the 1980 analog recording. The coupling with Borodin's First Quartet is especially attractive. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Lush & Exalted.......2007-02-11

How else can one describe this incredibly soulful, beautiful recording of Borodin's string quartets (A & D Major)? In this case, Borodin (and the similarly-named quartet) proved the experts wrong in the common saying that the minor is richer than the major. Every movement is a gem played with heartfelt devoltion to the music and the man. The melodic lines are stunning, almost bitter sweet in their mournful rise and fall. The sheer inventiveness of the composer is apparent throughout. In other words, run (don't walk) to your nearest store and purchase this CD or but it off Amazon.

This is not a cerebral (think Emerson Quartet) but a soulful performace, straight from the Grand Age of Composers when performers were called gentlemen and the audience had a knowledge of the music. As in all good quartets, there are no "standout" performances, just a seamless cohesion between the members. If anyone thinks this is recording is an exception they are mistaken. The Shoshtakovitch has as much heart (if not soul). An old tale circulates (confirmation?) that the artist (Shoshtakovitch) worked with the quartet during the process of composition, experimenting for the right sound(s). Beethoven is given a rich Romantic treatment (particularly the Große Fuge) and that is the way I always think of this group - an aristocratic, ensemble specializing in the type of music that they love - Brahms, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Rachmoninov.

My Grade: A+

A superb recording of the Borodin quartets.......2007-01-09

Everyone here (a large family gathering)who has heard this recording over the Christmas period has been very impressed with its quality. I would strongly recommend it.
John Fothergill

Priceless........2006-12-29

Borodin requires emotion, strength, and an understanding of both joy and melancholy. Originally recorded in 1980 by MELODIYA, the musicians and the recording quality go far beyond expectations. This is truly music for the heart.

Run out now and buy! (Or e-mail now and buy...).......2006-11-01

This is one of those discs that is just so incredible that all classical music lovers must own it.

The writing is very intense and beautiful (and from a part-timer, at that!) and the playing by the BSQ is peerless. The sound quality is also excellent.

No. 1 is number one!.......2006-03-02

Does this recording live up to the rave reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere?
The answer, quite simply put, is yes.
BUT, am I the only person on this planet who believes the 1st string quartet to be the equal of, or superior to the 2nd? Sure, the 2nd has the sublime 3rd movement that we have all heard a million times, but just listen to the 3rd movement of the 1st quartet. You will not believe your ears upon hearing what appears to be an organ and glass harmonica, only to realize that it is in fact a STRING QUARTET!!!
This effect, achieved by Borodin, is one of the most surreal, ethereal, and novel sections of music ever conceived.
Why these quartets, especially the 1st, are not more popular is beyond me.
My life has been greatly enriched by this recording, and it's one of those rare musical experiences that makes you think "How did I survive all those years without this music in my head?"
Anyone whose music collection lacks this wonderful recording is not living life to its fullest.
Highly recommended.
Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

an outstanding survey of the best of Mozart's quartets
Doesn't get any better than this.
A bargain - and perfectg ensemble
Penguin Guide "Recommended Recording"
Highest quality for the lowest price.

Mozart: String Quartets Nos. 14 - 23
Alban Berg Quartet , and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mozart: The Six String Quintets
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Complete String Quintets

ASIN: B000024MCP
Release Date: 2002-08-12

Tracks:

String Quartet No.14 In G Major, K.387 (Allegro Vivace Assai)
String Quartet No.14 In G Major, K.387 (Menuetto: Allegretto Trio)
String Quartet No.14 In G Major, K.387 (Andante Cantabile)
String Quartet No.14 In G Major, K.387 (Molto Allegro)
String Quartet No.17 In B Flat Major, K.458 (Allegro Vivacee Assai)
String Quartet No.17 In B Flat Major, K.458 (Menuetto: Moderato Trio)
String Quartet No.17 In B Flat Major, K.458 (Adagio)
String Quartet No.17 In B Flat Major, K.458 (Allegro Assai)
String Quarter No.15 In D Minor, K.421 (Allegro)
String Quarter No.15 In D Minor, K.421 (Andante)
String Quarter No.15 In D Minor, K.421 (Menuetto: (Allegretto) Trio)
String Quarter No.15 In D Minor, K.421 (Allegretto Ma Non Troppo)
String Quartet No.16 In E Flat Major, K.428 (Allegro Ma Non Troppo)
String Quartet No.16 In E Flat Major, K.428 (Andante Con Moto)
String Quartet No.16 In E Flat Major, K.428 (Menuetto: Allegretto Trio)
String Quartet No.16 In E Flat Major, K.428 (Allegro Vivace)
String Quartet No.20 In D Major, K.499 (Allegretto)
String Quartet No.20 In D Major, K.499 (Menuetto: Allegretto Trio)
String Quartet No.20 In D Major, K.499 (Adagio)
String Quartet No.20 In D Major, K.499 (Allegro)
String Quartet No.18 In A Major, K.464 (Allegro)
String Quartet No.18 In A Major, K.464 (Menuetto Trio)
String Quartet No.18 In A Major, K.464 (Andante)
String Quartet No.18 In A Major, K.464 (Allegro)
String Quartet No.19 In C Major, K.465 (Adagio Allegro)
String Quartet No.19 In C Major, K.465 (Andante Cantabile)
String Quartet No.19 In C Major, K.465 (Menuetto: Allegro Trio)
String Quartet No.19 In C Major, K.465 (Allegro)
String Quartet No.21 In D Major, K.575 (Allegretto)
String Quartet No.21 In D Major, K.575 (Andante)
String Quartet No.21 In D Major, K.575 (Menuetto: Allegretto Trio)
String Quartet No.21 In D Major, K.575 (Allegretto)
String Quartet No.22 In B Flat Major, K.589 (Allegro)
String Quartet No.22 In B Flat Major, K.589 (Larghetto)
String Quartet No.22 In B Flat Major, K.589 (Menuetto: Moderato Trio)
String Quartet No.22 In B Flat Major, K.589 (Allegro Assai)
String Quartet No.23 In F Major, K.590 (Allegro Moderato)
String Quartet No.23 In F Major, K.590 (Andante)
String Quartet No.23 In F Major, K.590 (Menuetto: Allegretto Trio)
String Quartet No.23 In F Major, K.590 (Allegro)

Album Details

Before Signing with EMI and Recording all of Mozart String Quartets at Least Once and Often Twice, the Alban Berg Quartet Recorded Nearly Half of them First for Teldec and Many Regard them Still as their Freshest and Most Vital Performances. This Four CD Budget Box is an Outstanding Bargain and all Unfamiliar with their Earlier Performances and who Simply Treasure These Quartets Are Strongly Encouraged to Give this Set a Listen.

Customer Reviews:

an outstanding survey of the best of Mozart's quartets.......2007-07-15

Some may argue that everything Mozart wrote was inspired, but just not equally inspired; & this seems especially true of his quartets. His mature quartets are much stronger than his earlier ones, just as his later symphonies are much more developed than those he wrote earlier on. Nevertheless, those who want a complete set of the Mozart quartets might want to investigate the Talich's set on Calliope. It comes highly recommended by a number of critics (Grammophone, Penguin Guide, Classics Today etc) & was also awarded the Grand Prix du Disque & the Diapasson d'Or.

This set of later Mozart quartets (#14-23) by the Alban Berg Quartett is an outstanding way to go for those who want to focus on the most interesting works. Other reviewers have pointed out the ABQ's merits, however, to correct a minor error in an Amazon review here, these Teldec recordings were not made in the 1990's but instead date from 1976-79. The sound is excellent - I found the Tallich Quartet's recordings, which date from 1984-1993, unnaturally subdued by comparison.

I own the both the ABQ & the Tallich sets & can say that had I bought this ABQ set first, I never would have purchased the complete Tallich set. As it turns out, I rarely listen to the early works & the compressed sound is a negative.

Those who are looking for the later Mozart quartets, of which there are no shortage of recordings, will be very satisfied with this set.

Highly recommended!

Doesn't get any better than this........2006-09-30

I am assuming if you are reading this, I don't really have to say anything technical about Mozart or these GREAT late string quartets.
I am only writing this review to let you know...
For anyone who is disappointed with the performance and sound quality of The Berg Quartet's EMI Mozart collection of these same quartets, this is a horse of a different color.
Recorded in the early 90s for Teldec before the Berg's signed with EMI, These performances are sublime.
You would not belive this is the same group that made those horrid EMI records.
This is THE Bergs we all know and love and nobody before or since has made Mozart's string quartets sound this good.
Perfect intonation, TONE, blend, dynamics and yes, PASSION.
I've had many collections of these works and this leads the field. BY FAR.
THIS ONE HAS IT ALL....
And the Teldec sound stage is the cleanest and crystal clear you'll ever hear.
With wonderful front to back depth and air around every note.
Demonstration sound with great imaging and transparency.
You can "literally" step inside this recording. Well you know what I mean.
It really doesn't get any better than this.

A bargain - and perfectg ensemble.......2005-10-18

The Alban Berg Quartet are legendary and these CD's contain some of their best work. They seem like one instrument and it is difficult to imagine a closer ensemble.

Particularly affecting are the slower movements, where Mozart's sublime music is allowed time to breathe and expand as it should.

BUY THESE DISCS AND YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

Penguin Guide "Recommended Recording".......2005-05-08

This 4-CD set contains Mozart's most monumental (and last) quartets, including the six quartets dedicated to his dear friend and colleage Joseph Haydn, the lone "Hoffmeister quartet" and the last "Prussian" quartets. All are masterpieces of the genre, especially the "Haydn's" which Mozart (uncharacteristically) toiled long and carefully to compose out of respect and admiration for his elder friend. Upon hearing these performed, Haydn pronounced to Mozart's father the now-famous quote about young Mozart being the greatest composer he knew in person or by reputation. As the pioneer of the modern quartet, Haydn knew great quartet writing when he heard it and he was right - these turned out to be among Mozart's greatest chamber works. (the quintets perhaps being the only greater works).

The Austrian Alban Berg Quartet executes these quartets with their characteristic and supreme suppleness, precision and elegance. "Polished" is a common description I see concerning their style. The music here sounds really, really great - for the perfectly honed compositions of Mozart to the impeccable performances of the Berg to the clear, vibrant sound quality. I normally favor the Quatuor Mosaiques for quartets, but here for Mozart's quartets, I think The Alban Berg Quartet is hard to beat. Indeed, this is what Penguin Guide concluded who awarded this set with a "Recommended Recording" and described it as "one of the most distinguised sets of the late quartets that has not been surpassed." What also makes this set so valuable is that it contains the last three quartets in addition to the Haydn Quartets - an obvious but not so common coupling. So, all the above factors make this set highly desirable and a fabulous value. (I think Teldec "left some money on the table" here ...). PS: Their complete cycle of Beethoven's string quartets also get rave reviews for similar reasons.

Highest quality for the lowest price........2004-01-10

I hesitate to express my wonder at the price of this set, should some company executive realize his mistake.

Here are 4 discs featuring ALL of Mozart's mature quartets performed by one of the world's finest quartets (in my opinion, the finest). The recordings were made in the 1970s, but the sound quality is excellent - not too "close" or "dead", nor too much reverb. Just right for chamber music for strings alone.

The performances are wonderful. If you're looking for a performance that is passionate or that idiosyncratically interprets the music, look elsewhere. The Berg Quartet is much better than that in that they allow Mozart to speak for himself. The A major and C major quartets from the "Haydn" set are particularly good. The overall quality of this entire set is so excellent that I would recommend this recording over all others for an example of what quartet playing should and ought to be.

If you've been wanting to add these works to your collection or upgrade your Mozart quartet set, I cannot recommend this recording highly enough. At this price, how can you afford not to order it?

Tchaikovsky: String Quartets Nos. 1 - 3/Souvenir De Florence
Average customer rating:

Great playing, amazing music, unbalanced recording

All-star performance of some sadly neglected music

Tchaikovsky: String Quartets Nos. 1 - 3/Souvenir De Florence

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000SIT
Release Date: 1993-11-02

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Moderato e semplice
String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Andante cantabile
String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Scherzo: Allegro non tanto e con fuoco
String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Finale: Allegro giusta
String Quartet In B Flat Major: Adagio misterioso - Allegro con moto - Adagio misterioso
Souvenir de Florence (Sextet In D Minor, op. 70): Allegro con spirito
Souvenir de Florence (Sextet In D Minor, op. 70): Adagio cantabile e con moto
Souvenir de Florence (Sextet In D Minor, op. 70): Allegretto moderato
Souvenir de Florence (Sextet In D Minor, op. 70): Allegro vivace

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 22: Adagio - Moderato assai
String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 22: Scherzo: Allegro giusto
String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 22: Andante ma non tanto
String Quartet No. 2 In F Major, Op. 22: Finale: Allegro con moto
String Quartet No. 3 In E-Flat Minor, Op. 30: Andante sostenuto
String Quartet No. 3 In E-Flat Minor, Op. 30: Allegretto vivo e scherzando
String Quartet No. 3 In E-Flat Minor, Op. 30: Andante funebre e doloroso, ma con moto
String Quartet No. 3 In E-Flat Minor, Op. 30: Finale: Allegro non troppo e risoluto

Customer Reviews:

Great playing, amazing music, unbalanced recording.......2005-10-24

My comment will only focus on the recording as I cannot agree more with other reviewers as far as interpretation and music are concerned.

The teldec engineers have focused on the violins and forgotten that a quartet is a balanced ensemble and thus viola and cello are not accompaniement. Their bias damages the final result and suppress the rich interplay Borodin has been renown for. For instance in the fugue of the second quartet last mvt, the cello is barely audible and all ears are on the violins. The result of this takes its toll when the reverberent acoustics saturates the microphones in some powerful zingers shooting.

It also makes the listening tiring as you have to extract the other instruments lines from the soloists... So 4 stars when it should have been a no brainer 5!

(listening was made on professional JBL studio monitors, Bryston amps and Linn source)

All-star performance of some sadly neglected music.......2005-09-23

I am a huge fan of the Borodin quartet. I had heard Schubert's quintet performed by the Emerson Quartet, and after hearing the same piece performed by the Borodin Quartet, I was blown away by how overrated the Emerson ensemble is.
That Tchaikovsky's chamber music doesn't receive the fanfare it deserves is understandable; the composer's orchestral works are so widely acclaimed that it tends to cast a shadow over the rest of his oeuvre. However, these are worth a purchase for sure. Tchaikovsky was a master of music writing for strings, and this medium lets him show off his virtuosic side with more ease than the symphonic medium. My bias towards fugues predisposes me to the 2nd quartet and the Souvenir de Florence and their contrapuntal finales; but that is not to say they stand alone on this 2 disc set. Each of the Quartets, as well as the Souvenir de Florence, are filled with charming melodies, folk music overtones, and the driving, rhythmic and dynamic writing style typical of a composer so celebrated for these techniques. The set also includes the B-Flat quartet, a work without opus but nonetheless a nice addition.
The recording is impeccable, as are all of the Borodin's efforts on the Teldec label. If you find yourself interested in Tchaikovsky's chamberworks after listening to these little-known masterpieces, you should check out his Piano Trio, a monstrous piece at nearly 50 minutes in length but well worth your time.

Average customer rating:

All Three Schumann Quartets on One CD

Schumann: String Quartets Nos. 1-3

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000JVSVF6
Release Date: 2006-12-12

Tracks:

Introduzione: Andante Espressivo - Allegro
Scherzo: Presto - Intermezzo
Adagio
Presto
Allegro Espressivo - Allegro Molto Moderato
Andante Quasi Variazioni
Scherzo: Presto
Allegro Molto Vivace
Andante Espressivo - Allegro Molto Moderato
Assai Agitato - Un Poco Adagio - Tempo Risoluto
Adagio Molto
Allegro Molto Vivace

Customer Reviews:

All Three Schumann Quartets on One CD.......2006-12-22

It has been extremely unusual until very recently for all three Schumann Quartets, his Op. 41, to be recorded on one CD. Usually we would get Nos. 2 & 3, and although there have been a few other CDs that contained all three -- including those of the Quatuor Ysaye and Eroica Quartets -- this is, I believe, the best of the lot. And at budget price, too! Quatuor Ysaye, in my opinion, gives a rather flaccid account of No. 1 and has some intonational problems. The Eroica Quartet plays on gut strings, and although that doesn't necessarily disqualify them -- I'd love to hear Quatuor Mosaïques play these works -- I was somehow not terribly pleased with their accounts even though others have raved about them; I think my main objection was the sound of the cello, which seemed rather nasal.

The Fine Arts Quartet has been in residence at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee for years and have been concertizing for fifty years -- three of the members have been in the quartet for twenty-five years -- and have made some outstanding recordings over that time; I particularly like their set of the Mozart quintets. (They are not, by the way, to be confused with the similarly named and similarly distinguished Pro Arte Quartet, long resident at the sister campus of the University of Wisconsin - Madison.) They are a rock-solid non-flashy but very musical quartet who have given us satisfying performances year after year.

I was won over by their spirited manner with the scherzo of the First Quartet, with its galloping rhythms and daredevil tempo; the same comment applies to the quartet's finale. (A personal confession: The first time I ever heard this quartet -- played brilliantly in concert by the American String Quartet -- I thought that the group had gotten out of sync at the end of the finale, not realizing that the final low A of the cello comes an eighth note after the upper instruments play their final chord. I recall saying later something to the ASQ's cellist, David Geber, and he simply pointed to the last page of the score, to my red-faced embarrassment.)

The Second Quartet begins with one of Schumann's loveliest melodies, reminding me a bit of the expansive arch of the opening theme of Brahms's First Quintet, Op. 88. The second movement, the Andante quasi Variazioni, is a somehow little less songful than one might have hoped, even though the Fine Arts give it a fine reading, but the following scherzo and allegro molto vivace bring the quartet to a rousing finish. The Andante espressivo introduction of the Third Quartet is as songful as one could ask, followed by an equally soulful Allegro molto moderato. (I think I love this movement best of all the Schumann quartet movements.) The Fine Arts do a brilliant job of conveying the movement's charming diffidence alternating with impulsive interjections. For some reason the Third's second movement reminds me of one of Rachmaninov's piano miniatures (e.g. the Humoresque); I wonder if Rachy knew this quartet? The Fine Arts play it with quicksilver charm. The deeply-felt melancholy of the Adagio molto comes as a bit of surprise after that second movement; the Fine Arts give it all the feeling it requires, even not eschewing an occasional portamento of the sort more commonly heard half a century ago but entirely appropriate and effective in this movement. The Third's finale, Allegro molto vivace, with its bouncy dotted rhythms is a bracing end to this set of three quartets. It seems odd to me that the Schumann quartets seem to reside somewhere on the margins of the standard quartet literature, at least as judged by their sparse appearances on quartet programs.

The Fine Arts Quartet -- Ralph Evans and Efim Boico, violins; Yuri Gandelsman, viola; Wolfgang Laufer, cello -- are one of America's best quartets and one that should be recording more. One hopes this set, recorded in January 2006 at the Wittem Monastery in the Netherlands, will be followed soon by more releases.

Sound is lifelike. Keith Anderson's booklet notes are excellent; they give instructive indications of the structure of the quartets. This is an outstanding set made all the more attractive by its budget price.

Scott Morrison

Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 71, Nos. 1-3 "Apponyi Quartets"

Average customer rating:

Hadyn for all tastes and pockets
A supreme classical bargain

Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 71, Nos. 1-3 "Apponyi Quartets"

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000013QJ
Release Date: 1992-09-04

Tracks:

Str Qt in B flat, Op.71, No.1, Hob.III: 69: Allegro
Str Qt in B flat, Op.71, No.1, Hob.III: 69: Adagio
Str Qt in B flat, Op.71, No.1, Hob.III: 69: Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.71, No.1, Hob.III: 69: (Finale): Vivace
Str Qt in D, Op.71, No.2, Hob.III: 70: Adagio-Allegro
Str Qt in D, Op.71, No.2, Hob.III: 70: Adagio (Cantabile)
Str Qt in D, Op.71, No.2, Hob.III: 70: Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in D, Op.71, No.2, Hob.III: 70: Finale: Allegretto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.71, No.3, Hob.III: 71: Vivace
Str Qt in E flat, Op.71, No.3, Hob.III: 71: Andante Con Moto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.71, No.3, Hob.III: 71: Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.71, No.3, Hob.III: 71: Finale: Vivace

Customer Reviews:

Hadyn for all tastes and pockets.......2004-11-06

Haydn's masterful series of string quartets is of great historical and musical importance. Not only did Hadyn establish the language and structure of the "classical" string quartet (four movements, the first in ABA sonata form, the second an adagio, the third a menuetto and a fast-paced finale), but he also showed that this basic format can be twisted without compromising the whole structure. In this set of opus 71 quartets, the second quartet starts with a slow introduction, which evolves to an Allegro. To somewhat compensate, the slow movement is more cantabile than usual. All opus 71 quartets are a masterful example of the string quartet in its classical format. The music is always inspiring and the Kodaly quartets capture extremely well the different tones and articulations of Haydn's inventiveness. In short, a startling performance of wonderful works at a price that can't be beaten. Could you ask for more?

A supreme classical bargain.......2000-08-07

This really is one of the supreme classical CD bargains. Normally I don't get near 'Naxos' items, but this is in a special class of its own. The Kodaly Quartet playing these beautiful Haydn works give strong, individual performances throughout. Immaculately recorded natural sound makes this a real discovery in all respects.

Average customer rating:

The "Clinker" of the bunch

Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00062FLIS
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

The "Clinker" of the bunch.......2006-12-19

Having collected the entire "The Masterworks" series (including the Bach and Mozart Complete Works) this set is the 'clinker' of the bunch. First off... 6 CD's of Lieder 'historic' (pre-historic) recordings. No Overtures, No Orchestral Seranades, No Haydn Variations?? The performances of the Symphonies and the Concertos are shakey and not very well recorded. Brilliant Classics, who has done such a wonderful job with the Hadyn Complete Symphonies (licensed from Nimbus), the Mozart and Bach Complete sets, has stumbled a bit with this release.

Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 74, Nos. 1-3

Average customer rating:

Rôle model for the string quartet
Best of the Kodaly Quartet's Haydn Cycle

Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 74, Nos. 1-3

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 71, Nos. 1-3 "Apponyi Quartets"
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Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 20 "Sun", Nos. 4-6

ASIN: B0000013QL
Release Date: 1992-09-04

Tracks:

String Quartet in C Major, Op. 74 No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Allegro (moderato)
String Quartet in C Major, Op. 74 No. 1, Hob. III: 72: II. Andantino (grazioso)
String Quartet in C Major, Op. 74 No. 1, Hob. III: 72: III. Menuetto: Allegro
String Quartet in C Major, Op. 74 No. 1, Hob. III: 72: IV. Finale: Vivace
String Quartet in F Major, Op. 74 No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Vivace
II. Andante grazioso
III. Menuetto
String Quartet in F Major, Op. 74 No. 2, Hob. III: 73: IV. Finale: Presto
String Quartet in G Major, Op. 74 No. 3, Hob. III: 74: 1: Allegro
String Quartet in G Major, Op. 74 No. 3, Hob. III: 74: II. Largo assai
String Quartet in G Major, Op. 74 No. 3, Hob. III: 74: III. Menuetto: (Allegretto)
String Quartet in G Major, Op. 74 No. 3, Hob. III: 74: IV. Finale: Allegro con brio

Customer Reviews:

Rôle model for the string quartet.......2004-11-07

The year is 1793, two years after Mozart's death. Haydn produces one of the absolute masterpieces of the whole history of the string quartets: the "Apponyi Quartets", which include six quartets (opus 71 and op 74, which is this recording). It is no surprise that Mozart dedicated to Haydn a set of six wonderful quarterts: he was recognizing Haydn's primacy on the string quartets genre. Haydn's response was masterly: the "Apponyi" quartets are widely recognized as one of the rôle models for all chamber music composers. Even very different works such as Beethoveen's opus 131, Bartok fifth quartet, and Carter's second quartet will be much better appreciated if one is very familiar with Hadyn's major works. The performance of the Kodaly quartet is hors-pair. Don't let the low price fool you: these recordings would be top recommendations even at triple the Naxos price. Buy them, and have a lifetime of enjoyment.

Best of the Kodaly Quartet's Haydn Cycle.......2000-04-09

Of Haydn's approximately 70 string quartets, at least 45 are "profound and profoundly different, absolutely flawless" masterpieces (according to Hans Keller, author of the definitive study of Haydn's quartets). In this magnificent (in both senses of the word) body of music, I find that the later a work was composed the more undeniably it deserves the title "masterpiece." Thus, the three quartets of Opus 74, written toward the end of Haydn's prolific career, are among his best.

The Kodaly Quartet took ten years (c. 1989-1998) to record the complete cycle of Haydn quartets on the budget-priced Naxos label; their performances, with few exceptions, are as good as any full-price rival. It is here, however, in Op. 74 (and in the companion Op. 71), that the Kodalys surpass all the competition. In Op. 20 the Mosaiques lead the field; of Op. 33 there are several fine versions; in Op. 50, the Salomons are strong contenders; in Opp. 54 & 55, the Lindsays are exceptionally fine; in Op. 64 I like the Fetstics Quartet. Even in their outstanding Op. 76 recordings, the Kodalys are not without rivals (e.g. the Tatrai Quartet). If you can afford it buy the entire cycle on Naxos (except Op. 20 - a good performance poorly recorded - and the rather uninspired early quartets of Opp. 1 & 2). Later you can add some of the other insightful interpretations, mentioned above (but get the Mosaiques' Op. 20 now). In Op. 74 the Kodaly are peerless; next to them, the Tatrai Quartet sounds sluggish, and the Salomon Quartet anemic. Listen, for instance, to the spirited but precise Allegro spiritoso first movement of the F Major quartet, or to the 'riding' finale of the G minor. The digital recorded sound is excellent.

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1, 2 & 3; Piano Quartets Nos. 1, 2 & 3
Average customer rating:

This is TRUE chamber music

Gorgeous music, great performance

Brilliant Recording, Excellent Deal

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1, 2 & 3; Piano Quartets Nos. 1, 2 & 3

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002A8T
Release Date: 1995-12-05

Tracks:

Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: I. Allegro Con Brio - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: II. Scherzo. Allegro Molto - Trio. Meno Allegro - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: III. Adagio - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: IV. Finale. Allegro - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: I. Allegro - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: II. Adante Con Moto - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: III. Scherzo. Presto - Poco Meno Presto - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: IV. Finale. Allegro Giocoso - J. Brahms

Tracks:

Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: I. Allegro Energico - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: II. Presto Non Assai - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: III. Andante Grazioso - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: IV. Allegro Molto - J. Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: I. Allegro Non Troppo - J. Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: II. Poco Adagio - J. Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: III. Scherzo. Poco Allegro - Trio - J. Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: IV. Finale. Allegro - J. Brahms

Tracks:

Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: I. Allegro - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: II. Intermezzo. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Trio. Animato - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: III. Andante Con Moto - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: IV. Rondo All Zingarese. Presto - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: I. Allegro Non Troppo - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: II. Scherzo. Allegro - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: III. Andante - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: IV. Finale. Allegro Comodo - Brahms

Customer Reviews:

This is TRUE chamber music.......2005-10-18

These CD's contain some of the best chamber music ever recorded.
Each member of the ensemble seems to fit in without ever dominating.

If you want to hear how chamber music should be played - get these discs!

Gorgeous music, great performance.......2003-05-13

This is one of my favorite CD's. Excellent musicianship and sound quality are a bonus. The real draw to this cd, however, is the passionate interpretation the music. They really capture the emotion behind Brahms' music. I would recommend this to anyone who likes chamber music.

Brilliant Recording, Excellent Deal.......2000-04-19

This album is by far the most crisply recorded, lusciously played, and reasonably priced of all recordings of Brahms' chamber music. There is a 2-CD version with just the quartets for marginally less, but this is the one to get. There's plenty written about the recent Ma, Stern, Laredo, Ax effort (hard not to, considering that cast), which won Gramophone Magazine's best chamber album of the year. The trios are of equally fine quality (Stern is just as luminous in this much earlier performance), in rich, dark analogue sound, and make a superb offer in and of themselves. When coupled with the quartets for roughly the same price. . .? You really can't go wrong. A must buy.

Average customer rating:

Well worth it
beautiful compilation
Nice playing for bargain price

Britten: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000DHRC
Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 25: Andante Sostenuto - Allegro Vivo
String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 25: Allegretto Con Slancio
String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 25: Andante Colmo
String Quartet No. 1 In D Major, Op. 25: Molto Vivace
String Quartet No. 2 In C Major, Op. 36: Allegro Calmo Senza Rigore
String Quartet No. 2 In C Major, Op. 36: Vivace
String Quartet No. 2 In C Major, Op. 36: Chacony
Three Divertimenti: March
Three Divertimenti: Waltz
Three Divertimenti: Burlesque

Customer Reviews:

Well worth it.......2006-08-02

Before purchasing this CD, I had only heard the #2 quartet in concert, and so I'm afraid I cannot offer a comparative review. That said, it seems to me the Maggini Quartet offers all you could reasonably ever want from these works. They combine great elegance with great passion and dynanism. All the strings, including first violin, are sweet and lyrical when called for, and aggressive and trenchant when required. A very "involving" performance, and I've come to love these works and try foisting them on people whenever able.

beautiful compilation.......2004-01-09

these are splendid performances, warmly and crisply recorded, of some of britten's most inspired pieces. i'm a huge fan of britten's second quartet and particular about how it should be played: the maggini do a wonderful job, combining a crackling technique with expansive lyricism and perfect phrasing; tempos seem just right in every movement. this disc and its companion include the three quartets with britten's divertimento and simple symphony in quartet scoring. my one complaint is that the simple symphony seems to add a double bass player who goes uncredited in the liner notes. both discs are highly recommended.

Nice playing for bargain price.......2003-08-05

My friend has a recording of the Julliard quartet on London records, but this recording is very nice and well worth the bargain price.

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1. String Quartet No. 1 In A Major- Moderato Allegro
2. Andante Con Moto
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4. Andante Allegro Risoluto
5. String Quartet No. 2 In D Major- Allegro Moderato
6. Scherzo Allegro
7. Nocturne Andante
8. Finale Andante Vivace