There are two recent alternative accounts of this Quartet on single LPs: an HMV recording by the Alban Berg Quartet (EL2700531-1, 12/84) and the Fitzwilliam Quartet (Decca 411 643-1DH, 9/84). However, readers should also remember the incomparable Busch version from the thirties (HMV EX290306-3, 11/85—part of a five-record set), which was chosen as the fines of the lot in a recent broadcast on the BBC's ''Record Review''. I sang the praises of this performance when I reviewed the boxed set and will do no more now than refer readers to what I wrote last November.
Although their rivals offer many insights (and the Alban Berg play superbly), the Lindsays penetrate to the heart of this score as few other ensembles do, and have pretty unerring musical judgement. As I said first time round in comparing them with their HMV rivals, while the Alban Berg set great store by beauty, the Lindsay's sights are set on truth first and beauty second, and in so doing, they achieve both.'