Mozart's String Quartets
Sat, Feb 9 2013, 1:36AM
I just got the Hagen quartet's complete cycle of the Mozart String quartets on DG. So far I have found their playing sparkling. I also have the Talich recordings which are fine in their own way but possibly of a lesser voltage. Quatuor mosaiques too are excellent. I would be interested to know what people feel about these recordings and also other recommendations for these works. Regards Anand
The three main recordings you have are the most important, taking into serious consideration the sound recording. For me, the Talich has an overall edge over the other two, but I admit the Hagen may sound a bit more exciting. For another great complete recording, but for a bit compromised sound, the Amadeus cycle, on DG is worthwhile too and if there is still around, the Quartetto Italiano (there used to be on the defunct Philips) is a sort of a marvel reading.
However, there are some very significant CDs on individual Quartets or group of them:
- The Alban Berg Quartet has a budget 7CD box on EMI with the major Quartets, some String Quintets and the second Piano Quartet with Brendel!
- The underrated and less known Suske Quartet has a 5CD set, on Berlin, with the "Haydn" and the last Quartets. Brilliant performances in very good recordings, if we consider that they are from the early or mid seventies.
- For the most celebrated "Haydn Quartets", try also the Leipziger String Qu. (on MDG) and the Klenke (on Profil).
- The superb Prazak Quartet has a magnificent SACD on Praga, with the String Quartets No. 15 (K.421), No. 17 (K.458) & No.19 (K.465). The best possible recording and some glorious playing.
- The Hagen, in their celebratory 30 years SACD on Myrios, they recorded Mozart's No.16, in E flat along with Beethoven's No.8 in e minor (Op.59, no.2) and some Webern's miniatures. A must for Chamber Music loyals and a much better reading than their old complete recordings one, on DG.
There are some very interesting readings with Chilingirian, Coull and some others too, but life is short to keep searching.
I hope you have something to deal with.
Parla
P.S.: - For the famous "Hunt" Quartet, K.458, you should also get the newly released CD, on ICA, with the Quartetto Italiano from a Live recording (from 1965) at the London Royal Festival Hall. There is also a monumental performance of Beethoven's Op.132 and a delightful Quartet by Boccherini too. Don't miss it!