What are you listening to?

[Diapason]

I rarely listen to this, and I've no idea why. Tis great stuff!

[fergus]

[Seán]

Anyway, both of these sets come with unreserved recommendations throughout from me. It's magnificent to hear a young, high quality SQ from the native homeland of the composer, putting their all into performance, and the nuances are such here that you can pick out the Czech folk-ish undertones that frequent these pieces. Wonderful stuff.

I wholeheartedly agree with your comments above Jared in relation to that particular ensemble. I only have the Dvorak set posted above and one other album of Haydn string quartets performed by them but I also think that they are very good. They are energetic and delve into the spirit of the music with uncompromising aplomb.
I also second your recommendations with regard to the value of the Dvorak string quartets as a body of work....they really do bear up to scrutiny and are well worth investigating for those who are not familiar with them.

GOSH lads, I have never heard of them until now!

[Seán]

I do like Mendelssohn's string quartets.

[Diapason]

I can't get on board with string quartets, but it's probably lack of exposure. Where should I start if I want to be convinced?

[Jared]

I can't get on board with string quartets, but it's probably lack of exposure. Where should I start if I want to be convinced?

are you talking SQs in general, or Mendelssohn's SQs?

[Seán]

I can't get on board with string quartets, but it's probably lack of exposure. Where should I start if I want to be convinced?

Mendelssohn? The Gewandhaus Quartett is a very good place to start:


Quartets in general? Schubert and Death and the Maiden by Quartetto Italiano:

[Jared]

Ok, I'm going to take the plunge and guess you're talking about SQs in general... (??)

I found there were 2 ways in to SQs... earlier on, I tried a number of chamber works which included the Piano, because I found them easier (Brahms, Schumann Piano Quintets, Schubert's Trout) as well as some Octets (Mendelssohn, Schubert) because they are frankly very accessible after a few listens.

When it came to my initiation into SQs, I purchased the Emerson's Tch No.1, Borodin No.2 and Dvorak No.12:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dvorak-Tchaikov ... 967&sr=1-2

not because it's a stellar disk, but because it contains 3 of the best known and most popular SQs of the Romantic era... you could call it a beginner's guide if you like, which worked for me.

If however, I was to now recommend ONE disk of SQs for an entry level, then I'd probably go for this one:



near flawless delivery of some of the finest SQs ever written... please try it for size, and let us know what you think... :-)

[Jared]

OK, maybe I've just written all that for no reason, because I misinterpreted what you meant... if it's Mendelssohn you're after, then I enjoy this set, which is very highly regarded by the PG:

[fergus]

I can't get on board with string quartets, but it's probably lack of exposure. Where should I start if I want to be convinced?

Where it all started....Haydn.