Search - Végh Quartet :: Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets (1952 Haydn Society Recordings)

For collectors only

Scott E. Peterman | Oneida, NY USA | 01/16/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I recently purchased this set of Beethoven's string quartets, and I must say that aside from its more detailed sound, it shares many of the shortcomings of the set recorded by the Vegh in the early 70's. Contrary to what Mr. Davis implies, this set does not use consistently slightly faster tempos. Indeed the tempos are at times slower in both slow and fast movements than the 70's set. The Vegh is, at times, even more strained and lifeless in these performances than they were in those of the 70's.



The Penguin Guide has sung the praises of the Vegh performances for years and seems to abhor performances of vitality, perfection, and exquisite beauty. It therefore chides the Cleveland Quartet for being shallow because of its "impeccable technical address." In its 2 ½ star criticism of the Tokyo Quartet's performance of Beethoven's late quartets it actually states, "They are superbly recorded and, although they are just too beautiful at times to be ideal in this great music, they have obviously thought long and hard about it." What kind of nonsense is that?



I do not buy into the fashionable attitude among "professional" critics that if Beethoven is performed with impeccable technique, perfect intonation, vitality, and luxurious sound that it is somehow lacking in depth. The performances of the Beethoven string quartets by both the Tokyo and the Cleveland Quartets surpass those of the Vegh in every way, period. It is entirely possible, and in my mind very probable, that the interpretations of these pieces by the Cleveland and the Tokyo are far closer to the intention of the master than that of the Vegh.



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A solid set of performances!

02/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set is one of the best as far as I'm concerned. I have heard many versions of these string quartets and this set actually does find a stand out of the mix for a few reasons. Here you are dealing with a top notch group of Hungarian musicians performing with supreme focus. They have an sock solid interpretation at the core that does not rely on layers of grandiose, overly-emotional nonsense. The recording quality is excellent, probably preferable to the '72 in some regards. For one, you don't have the heavy breathing. Secondly, it is very closely miked and dry sounding mono. It is stripped down, up font, and true. I find that these qualities are seldom found in string quartets for some reason. The beauty is in the compositions and the interpretations, not in excessive technique or recordings that sound like they're being beamed to you from outer space. I disagree that this is just a set for obsessive collectors. If you appreciate the elements I have described you my find this set indispensable."

I must e a collector

Howard G Brown | Port St. Lucie, FL USA | 09/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this set, along with the cycle recorded by the Hungarian Quartet for EMI around the same time -- the early 50s. -- the Budapest Quartet from their Library Of Congress recordings, and the Hollywood Quartet recordings of the late quartets. Need I mention the Busch Quartet? Yes.



My favorite remains the 1970s recordings by this same Vegh Quartet, but to me the energy and leaner recorded sound of this set offers a bracing experience, while not slighting the singing lines of the slow movements.



If you enjoy the Busch and Budapest recordings, I believe you will enjoy this early Vegh cycle as well."