fungfucius | Lagrangeville, NY United States | 07/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Budapest quartet was at its peak in the 1940's. Then Sasha Schneider left, and the quartet started to sound different. Mr. Schneider rejoined the Budapest in 1955, and for a few short years, the quartet managed to reach twin peak number two.The 3rd Rasumovsky quartet, the Harp, and the Grosse Fugue on this Sony CD were recorded in the 1960's, when intonation frailties were already quite evident. But frailties or not, like the previous reviewer says, the Budapest now played 'cool' music, willing and daring to take more risks.There's a companion Sony Essential Classics CD to this one, Sony 46545. There, the Budapest plays the 1st and 2nd Rasumovsky quartets. The 1st Rasumovsky quartet was the Budapest's calling card. I strongly recommend it, for it's unmistakeable, trade-mark Budepest: warm, lyrical and broadly swinging.Enjoy!"
More quintessential Beethoven string quartets!!!
fungfucius | 07/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I also concur with the honors piled on these legendary performances. These recordings of Op. 59, No.3, Op. 74 & Op. 133 are pure perfection, with a fiery intensity and a old world enchantment. Sure there is the occasional intonation slip up, but I find it rather charming and a simple reminder that this stuff is very hard to play. In addition, you need not have reservations about the sound quality. In fact, I wish more chamber music sounded this clean and direct with not so much reverb blended into the mix. As one Amazon reviewer said - Enjoy the honest sound, the quality is marvelous. These are magnificent chamber works of Beethoven. There's also a companion Sony Essential Classics CD to this one (Op. 59, No.1 & 2) and both are a must-have for any respectable LVB collection! Such great music at such a acceptable price. A no-brainer! Oh, and just for the record, Op. 133; known as the Grosse Fugue is the best version I've ever heard.
The Budapest Quartet never drop the ball on this one.
Treasure `em!"
Incredible recording
fungfucius | 07/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This set Sony has released - the Essential Classics bargain CDs truly are godsends. They feature great music performed by legends at insanely cheap prices. This CD is no exception. The Budapest String Quartet is unbelievable, and we are fortunate enough to have recordings to prove it - although they can be tough to find. We're particularly lucky with this recording though - it was recorded in the early 1960s, when a) Sasha Schneider had re-joined the group and b) when they were old guys (which was when they were making REALLY cool music). Yes, their intonation isn't always perfect...although the slips are VERY rare on this particular CD - they didn't have the luxury of modern quartets with second takes (most of their recordings are live). However, the character that they instill into the music is unmatched even today. Beethoven's music simply comes to life while they play. THis is a must have."
Honest, Passionate Beethoven Strings
rodboomboom | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 01/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Completely concurring with other reviewers who marvel and rejoice over this Sony Classic. Such fine music at such a reasonable price.Particularly wanted a copy of the Great Fugue after hearing the Detroit Symphony do it, both in its original score, and updated for full, modern orchestra. Preferring the original, this is just a marvelous performance with its complexities and fugal tensions. With its changing tempos and ranges of instruments so thoroughly explored and vibrantly presented, this is such a classic piece, one wants to listen to it over and over.This String Quartet recorded this back in early '60's, so the quality is marvelous. Enjoy the honest sound, not slicked up with all the new recording and editing capabilities. Their playing is passionate, yet not pretentious.The second movement of the String Quartet in C Major is outstanding, with its risky progressions and extension of forms, especially its ballad like sound.The Harp Quartet is marvelous, with its combined lower voices adding a pizzicato effect and its soaring lyricism."