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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Sorry, but I can't agree with the other review of these classic recordings of Brahms' piano quartets. Brahms often needs a more red-blooded approach than is sometimes heard. The Beaux Arts Trio with Walter Trampler and Menahem Pressler provide this but also perform with all the sensitivity, verve, and above all musicality, which so strongly characterise Brahms' chamber music. The beautiful slow movements contain all the necessary lyricism without being bland, while faster movements such as the fiery Hungarian gypsy rondo finale of Quartet no.1 are full of the excitement one would hope for, yet with no loss of control.
These recordings have long remained in the catalogue and for good reason (3-stars in the Penguin Guide). For many musicians (including myself) they would be first choice for the complete set. If one has to pick and choose, then perhaps for added nobility (and panache in the rondo finale of no.1), Artur Rubinstein's recording with members of the Guaneri Quartet on RCA would be first choice - though sadly no.2 is not included in that set.
These recordings have long remained in the catalogue and for good reason (3-stars in the Penguin Guide). For many musicians (including myself) they would be first choice for the complete set. If one has to pick and choose, then perhaps for added nobility (and panache in the rondo finale of no.1), Artur Rubinstein's recording with members of the Guaneri Quartet on RCA would be first choice - though sadly no.2 is not included in that set.
11 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I recently bought this CD from Amazon and am sorry to say that I found it almost impossible to listen to. My reason for buying it was having heard the Tamas Vasari version of the piano quartet no 1 on radio 3 but could not find an available version to buy (at a price I could afford). The performance by the Beaux Arts Trio is rushed and even at times discordant - 'hurry' music of the worst sort. The beautiful, lyrical Rondo alla Zingarese (last movement of the Piano Quartet in G) was ruined. Sorry to be so negative but I cannot in all conscience recommend this recording to anyone. If anyone wants a recording of Brhams Piano quartets try out another recording first.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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9 reviews
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful
An older recording, but still amazing
22 Jun 2002
Format:Audio CD
This collection of Brahms' piano quartets are a great listen all around. Every quartet has an enormous power and beauty to it.
I like to say about Brahms' music that it is airtight. There is never a wasted note. Every bit of melody, every nuance and texture in the harmony are masterfully crafted and serve a purpose. There is never a moment when you look at your watch and wonder when the composer is going to get around to wrapping this or that section up and get to the exciting stuff.
The Beaux Arts Trio along with Walter Trampler do a commendable job of bringing every moment of beauty and excitement out. They balance the sweetness of the slow movements and melodies well with the aggression and rhythmic complexities of the quicker movements. My current favorite quartet is the A Major. There is a singable melody or rhythmic puzzle in every movement. I listened to the final movement four times today (excessive I know, but it's just so much fun to try to figure out how Brahms manipulates those melodies within the time signatures)!
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Great stuff!
12 Jan 2008
Format:Audio CD
After Bach, I think the compositional style of Johannes Brahms must be the most individually recognisable - at least in respect of his mature works; less so in the case of earlier compositions like the string sextets. However, these Piano Quartets are chock-full of typically Brahmsian melody and harmonic invention so that almost from the first bar, we readily are able to establish the composer's identity.
Another reviewer has mentioned the density of Brahms's writing. Nowhere is this more evident than in these works which have absolutely no fat or padding on them; every note has a particular purpose within the structure of the whole. Nevertheless, in most of these quartets, Brahms does hint at the exposition of a subject which might become one of his grand melodic set-pieces but after only a passing nod at development, the idea fizzles out. But before we can sense any disappointment, we are caught up in his next scheme. This is so very characteristic of this great composer.
Given that after the death of his friend Robert Schumann and the failure of his clandestine engagement to Agathe von Siebold, Brahms's emotions must have been at a low ebb so it is perhaps surprising that these quartets, with the notable exception of the C minor, generally are boisterous and optimistic. I particularly like the Andante third movement of the G minor quartet - this conjures visions of a drawing room performance of a broad melodic piece suddenly interrupted by the passing of a military band outside the open window. The platoon and music heads away towards the barracks and the calm of the original material returns. At least that's my fantasy - what Brahms had in mind, I have no idea. It's a curious and seemingly unrelated inclusion made even stranger by being in 3/4 time but it's great fun.
The Beaux Arts Trio, ably augmented by Walter Trampler's viola, play to their customarily high standard with the recordings (from 1973) also being good.
Very highly recommended.
Another reviewer has mentioned the density of Brahms's writing. Nowhere is this more evident than in these works which have absolutely no fat or padding on them; every note has a particular purpose within the structure of the whole. Nevertheless, in most of these quartets, Brahms does hint at the exposition of a subject which might become one of his grand melodic set-pieces but after only a passing nod at development, the idea fizzles out. But before we can sense any disappointment, we are caught up in his next scheme. This is so very characteristic of this great composer.
Given that after the death of his friend Robert Schumann and the failure of his clandestine engagement to Agathe von Siebold, Brahms's emotions must have been at a low ebb so it is perhaps surprising that these quartets, with the notable exception of the C minor, generally are boisterous and optimistic. I particularly like the Andante third movement of the G minor quartet - this conjures visions of a drawing room performance of a broad melodic piece suddenly interrupted by the passing of a military band outside the open window. The platoon and music heads away towards the barracks and the calm of the original material returns. At least that's my fantasy - what Brahms had in mind, I have no idea. It's a curious and seemingly unrelated inclusion made even stranger by being in 3/4 time but it's great fun.
The Beaux Arts Trio, ably augmented by Walter Trampler's viola, play to their customarily high standard with the recordings (from 1973) also being good.
Very highly recommended.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
great musicians
8 Oct 2005
Format:Audio CD
These are dense pieces and like a lot of Brahms could become overly heavy and plodding in the wrong hands. On this CD the Beaux Arts really bring out the romantic lyrical quality of this music unfailingly. The recording itself is just a hair distant but the detail is good. What fantastic piano one finds on these CDs! Strongly recommended.
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