Beethoven quartets 24 bit.

The string quartet is an easily recorded ensemble, and there have been great examples of Beethoven String Quartet recordings over the last ninety years that are entirely enjoyable to this day.

I cannot think of any digital - let alone Hi-res - recordings that match the recordings of the Budapest Quartet or the Busch Quartet at the musical level. The Busch Quartet set out on what might have been a complete Beethoven cycle in 1932, but the World changed forever in 1939, and by the time peace returned Adolf Busch was in poor health, so that they recorded just over half of them including all the Late [and great] Quartets. These have never been out of print, and remain a benchmark of extra-ordinary musicianship in the face of some of the greatest music for string quartet ever written.

In the early 1950s the Budapest Quartet recorded the complete cycle for American Columbia, and these tapings have emerged on CDs, and though different in significant ways - musically speaking - from the Busch recordings, they also are a benchmark of the highest quality. The recordings themselves are fine enough to let the performances speak and engage the listener completely, though in many ways the earlier HMV recording for the Busch Quartet are superior.

A more modern cycle was made by the Vegh Quartet in the 1970s, and this is also regarded as being on the same exalted level as the Busch and Budapest performances, and of course comes in stereo sound. I used to have this set also, but eventually found myself less compelled by it, compared to the earlier recordings mentioned.

For a digital recording, then consider the Alban Berg Quartet recordings on EMI.

Nowadays it is easy to find any of these performances on youtube so as to assess which performances you like the most. 

Quartet playing is something that waxes and wanes over the decades, and whilst the technical standards and actual style of playing have changed, I think we are going through a remarkably arid period of great quartet playing. So the most modern recordings may bring greater technical perfection in the playing, high quality sound, and the absolute perfection allowed by editing of different takes together to get an idealised performance, I cannot say that the old recordings of the Busch and Budapest are in any way threatened with eclipse by any modern recorded performances. and the old sounds are remarkably fine in any case. EMI’s transfers for the Busch Quartet are exemplary. You will not get quite how fine they are from youtube, even though you will gather just why they were so well thought off at the time, and remains so on records.

ATB from George

This is very good, though there is only one volume so far. That said, I'd take a great CD quality performance any day - my favourite is the three volume series by the Takacs Quartet.

I wouldn't put too much value on high res in this case. Because the better recordings are not available in high res. I tend to listen to the Tokyo String Quartet and the Alban Berg Quartett ....A kind of extreme version in the one below. It's available in high res if you have Qobuz Sublime now for less the. 25 euros...

I forgot to mention that I also like the execution of the Quartetto Italiano, however again not in high result ion but in cd quality.

David,

The high-res age may not have produced a classic Beethoven cycle yet, but there have been a few unmissable recordings of individual quartets. The Chiaroscuro (with Ibragimova on lead violin)  recorded a spectacular op.95.

Cheers

EJ

I don't know anything about 24 bit but as with anything I love, my recommendation is likely to be the set that I am most recently spending time with and that happens to be Quartetto Italiano.  Doesn't exclude pretty much any other set that is mentioned above plus others I have in my collection as next month or year it will be something else.

Doug,

Totally agree about the Italian Quartet recordings. A superb series of recordings. 

I knew my initial post was probably already too long, so did not mention the Italians, but you are brilliant for mentioning them ... 

Best wishes from George

Dear George,

Actually I really got a lot out of your summary notwithstanding the fact that you are keeping me musically enriched but constantly broke.  It was a reminder to me that I must seek out the Budapest and Vegh quartets as you recommend.

Have you heard The Lindsays?  If so, I'm wondering about your thoughts on them?  I have been meaning to pick up some of there albums as well.

Regards,

Doug

George Fredrik Fiske posted:

The string quartet is an easily recorded ensemble, and there have been great examples of Beethoven String Quartet recordings over the last ninety years that are entirely enjoyable to this day.

I cannot think of any digital - let alone Hi-res - recordings that match the recordings of the Budapest Quartet or the Busch Quartet at the musical level. The Busch Quartet set out on what might have been a complete Beethoven cycle in 1932, but the World changed forever in 1939, and by the time peace returned Adolf Busch was in poor health, so that they recorded just over half of them including all the Late [and great] Quartets. These have never been out of print, and remain a benchmark of extra-ordinary musicianship in the face of some of the greatest music for string quartet ever written.

In the early 1950s the Budapest Quartet recorded the complete cycle for American Columbia, and these tapings have emerged on CDs, and though different in significant ways - musically speaking - from the Busch recordings, they also are a benchmark of the highest quality. The recordings themselves are fine enough to let the performances speak and engage the listener completely, though in many ways the earlier HMV recording for the Busch Quartet are superior.

A more modern cycle was made by the Vegh Quartet in the 1970s, and this is also regarded as being on the same exalted level as the Busch and Budapest performances, and of course comes in stereo sound. I used to have this set also, but eventually found myself less compelled by it, compared to the earlier recordings mentioned.

For a digital recording, then consider the Alban Berg Quartet recordings on EMI.

Nowadays it is easy to find any of these performances on youtube so as to assess which performances you like the most. 

Quartet playing is something that waxes and wanes over the decades, and whilst the technical standards and actual style of playing have changed, I think we are going through a remarkably arid period of great quartet playing. So the most modern recordings may bring greater technical perfection in the playing, high quality sound, and the absolute perfection allowed by editing of different takes together to get an idealised performance, I cannot say that the old recordings of the Busch and Budapest are in any way threatened with eclipse by any modern recorded performances. and the old sounds are remarkably fine in any case. EMI’s transfers for the Busch Quartet are exemplary. You will not get quite how fine they are from youtube, even though you will gather just why they were so well thought off at the time, and remains so on records.

ATB from George

I absolutely agree with George re the Busch Quartet recordings. These are the absolute benchmark IMHO. In fact I've just cued up (on NDS) Op. 130 as I type. 

Dear Clive,

Thanks for your comment. The opus 130 recording is one those made in the USA rather than London, and is something we can be grateful for as it might never have happened as Adolf Busch never had the success in the US that he had had in the UK before he went to America at the outbreak of the War.

Dear Doug,

I was lucky enough to attend a concert of the Lindsay Quartet in Malvern, where they played Schubert’s String Quintet in C with a guest cellist. An unforgettably wonderful concert, though unfortunately I had guests who found the music too long and boring! I learned something from that: Never invite guests to attend a concert with me - at least unless they are ready for the music!

I then bought the CD of their recording, and the truth is that the recording did them no favours. I don’t know if their Beethoven Quartet recordings are still available as single CDs, but that is how I would start. With a favourite Quartet and see if you like the result, though there is no doubting the artistic integrity of the Lindsay Quartet. I am just not sure that their recordings make for universal recommendation.

Best wishes from George

Thank you all for your recommendations. I already have the Alban Berg on CD, but I was looking specifically for a 24 bit recording and it appears that it has yet to emerge.