Talich Quartet's Mozart on EMI
Wed, Jan 4 2012, 12:20PM
On recommendation I acquired the Hagen Quartet's complete cycle of the Mozart String Quartets on DG. And while it is lovely, polished and well-recorded I miss the (spiritual?) dimension that the Vegh Quartet add to their selection on EMI France. Now I see that EMI has issued the Talich Quartet's cycle. I assume we are talking about the recordings previously issued by Calliope. Has anybody heard it? I'm a bit broke after Christmas so wondered if I should invest?
Wed, Jan 4 2012, 7:04PM
#2
RE: Talich Quartet's Mozart on EMI
Finally, if you really wish to invest in something new, contemplate the idea of embarking on the six String Quintets of the unique Amadeus. You will be amazed at the wealth of music depth, great development of unique musical ideas and many more. Some of the absolute jewels in Chamber Music. If you decide so, I can come with some very viable options.
Parla
I really enjoy the the string quintets and agree with Parla here.
I don't know how they compare with versions Parla might suggest but I have them on a Decca reissue with the Grumiaux Trio (et al) and a very fine recording it is too.
Vic.
Thu, Jan 5 2012, 4:24AM
#3
RE: Talich Quartet's Mozart on EMI
Spot on, Vic! The Grumiaux(s) is a very fine and secure version, at a very competitive price. However, The Talich(s) is also a very fine performance too, in a very cheap reissue on Caliope (I hope it still exists).
At the expensive and extremely fine recordings as well as performances:
a) for the whole set, there is only the Fine Arts Quartet (plus the extra viola player), on the French label Lyrinx (in demonstration quality SACD sound) and
b) for the magnificent g minor Quintet (the only one in the minor mode and only the fourth in his entire instrumental output) along with the marvellous D major one with the amazing Prazak Quartet (plus), in a live performance, on the Praga Digitals label.
Parla
Tue, Jan 10 2012, 12:36PM
#4
RE: Talich Quartet's Mozart on EMI
This is not EMI which has issued the Talich Quartet's cycle (recordings previously issued by Calliope) but a new French label: La Dolce Volta.
Sound is better (remastered Studio Quality) from the LP digital audio tapes. This is now a 7-CD box (instead of Calliope 8-CD box without a few Divertimenti...)
This is really a very safe choice at a bargain price with a high artwork value.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/string-quartet-no-6-in-b-flat/id474709363?i=474709522&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Hmv, the Hagen is one of the very best living Quartets along with Prazak and very few other. Their Mozart is very fine indeed and, in their celebration of 30 years as a Quartet, they recorded one of the "Haydn" Quartets, in a brilliant performance.
The Talich, traditionally, is considered as a very safe choice, but, with all these reissues, I don't know what might have been left from the original (that I managed to have). If you have to go back to the past, the Quarteto Italiano, if some acceptable version/reissue exists, was also a very good interpretation indeed.
However, as I have mentioned in your relevant topic on "Haydn" Quartets, don't miss the single disc of Prazak Quartet on Praga (Digitals) with three of the six String Quartets dedicated to Haydn. It's a must, in every possible way.
Finally, if you really wish to invest in something new, contemplate the idea of embarking on the six String Quintets of the unique Amadeus. You will be amazed at the wealth of music depth, great development of unique musical ideas and many more. Some of the absolute jewels in Chamber Music. If you decide so, I can come with some very viable options.
Good "investment" in a very difficult year indeed,
Parla