- Audio CD (31 Jan 2005)
- SPARS Code: DDD
- Number of Discs: 3
- Format: Box set
- Label: Decca (UMO)
- ASIN: B00067R3BG
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
22,787 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
- #33 in Music > Classical Instrumental > Chamber Music > String Quartets
- #63 in Music > Classical Instrumental > Chamber Music > String Ensemble
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is probably the best of the relatively recent recent recordings of the late quartets. The playing is sensitive, expressive and robust, and the sound quality is crystal clear. However, I have a couple of reservations. Personally, I find the excessive vibrato distracting (and I don't suppose Beethoven would have approved either). A little vibrato is fine for occasional emphasis, but this is too much, too often. (On the other hand, many other performances are as bad if not worse.) The other problem is the recording: there is a harshness to the sound that I find tiring. I'm sure this will vary with the equipment it is played on, but on my system it sounds "digital". Some people seem to like this.
The Beethoven late quartets are wonderful music that will repay much repeated listening over many years, so there is no harm in having more than one recording. There's no obvious "best" set. Personally, I have enjoyed the Italian Quartet, now beautifully remastered by Philips (perhaps a bit too warm and lyrical), and also the Alban Berg Quartet's second set (live in Vienna, with virtually no coughing!). The ones to avoid are the Juilliard (a quirky performance in front of a live audience who keep dropping things) and the Lindsays (loved by the critics, but ruined for me by the continuous heavy breathing and sniffing, and again too much vibrato).
The Beethoven late quartets are wonderful music that will repay much repeated listening over many years, so there is no harm in having more than one recording. There's no obvious "best" set. Personally, I have enjoyed the Italian Quartet, now beautifully remastered by Philips (perhaps a bit too warm and lyrical), and also the Alban Berg Quartet's second set (live in Vienna, with virtually no coughing!). The ones to avoid are the Juilliard (a quirky performance in front of a live audience who keep dropping things) and the Lindsays (loved by the critics, but ruined for me by the continuous heavy breathing and sniffing, and again too much vibrato).
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Although I wouldn't want to be without the Lindsays unparalled depth and feeling of timelessness in the slow movements above all, the freshness, excitement and sheer beauty of sound makes this the best version to have appeared for a long time and perhaps the safest general recommendation.
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a fantastic set. The Takacs Quartet play with absolute conviction and terrific passion. This set was singled out for special mention on BBC's Radio 3, CD Review, round-up of the best records of 2005.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Difficult - yes. Worth it - yes
This set presents the whole of the late quartets together with excellent notes. These are not easy pieces, but the difficulty is in the range of emotions. Read more
Published 19 months ago by GustavCFC
Late and great
The musical equivalent of Rembrandt's mature series of self-portraits, Beethoven's late quartets are multi-faceted, soul-searching, enriching and unsurpassed. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2009 by Jon Chambers
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