Search - Bartok, New Budapest Quartet :: String Quartets

Possibly the finest

paul best | new orleans | 09/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As I'm still reviewing this New Budapest, which I've had for 4 yrs , and the OOP/rare RCA release of the Tokyo. Yes I did say on the Tokyo/RCA review, "the finest". But that was 2 yrs ago and before I really had a chance to sit down and give both a fresh hearing, a more critical approach. There was a topic on bartok on the Classical Music Guide's forum , and thought I'd revisit all my Bartok collection. As finely played by this RCA Tokyo group, with Peter Oundjian as lead violinist, seems the New Budapest is striking more closely at the spirit of the music. That is I feel drawn into this deeply emotional world that Bartok has created. Both are supremely played, but the New Budapest seems to offer a nuance that makes this hometown quartet something extraordinarily special.

I know the gramophone reviewer places the Tokyo'DG as his "slightly prefered" "I wouldn't want to be w/o the earlier DG set" he goes on to say, and gives his nod to the DG over the Tokyo/RCA. I have to disagree as i state on the RCA review. The Tokyo/DG group has all the techinical aspects in perfection, but misses some of the feeling element which is in much better expression with the RCA group.

I will continue my sessions with both sets and provide any further updates. As it stands my first recommendation will be this New Budapest/hyperion. Take notice that this Hyperion release may be discontinued. i cked Tower and Arkiv, neither lists this set. Hyperion's web page does not show its in print. I went and ordered my second set for future purpose.

There are 3 remaining copies here on amazon.



Well this morning i played the New Budapest in the 2nd sq, first movement, locked that into memoey and now the Tokyo is playing. As finely played from a tech standpoint is the Tokyo, seems to my ears the NB gets at some underground "folksy" emotional level. The Tokyo is far from "cold" but the impact of the work is felt more intensely with the NB. Sure the Tokyo is played as intense, if not more so, but thats the point, its a tad too much ficus on getting it "right'. Somehow the NB plays a bit more at ease. There are subtle connective passages which the NB bring into a cohesive emotive fabric, tightly woven. Seems to my ears that the NB is less worried about tackling the incredible tech difficulities of the score and thus allowing the folk nature of the music to breathe.

Sure one could not accuse the Tokyo for lack of musicality, they as well touch the soul of the music. I feel the 4 members of the NB all are on a tighter page, and also their instruments seem to me a better tonation for these sq's.

Hope this is of help.

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