Complete String Quartets 4

1. String Quartet No 10, in A flat, Op. 118
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
with Alexander Galkovsky , Alexander Korchagin , Sergei Pishchugin , Andrei Shishlov , Shostakovich Quartet

2. String Quartet No 11, in F Minor, Op. 122
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
with Alexander Galkovsky , Alexander Korchagin , Sergei Pishchugin , Andrei Shishlov , Shostakovich Quartet

3. String Quartet No 15, in E flat Minor, Op. 144
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
with Alexander Galkovsky , Alexander Korchagin , Sergei Pishchugin , Andrei Shishlov , Shostakovich Quartet

Tracks:

Op. 18 No. 1 In F Major: I: Allegro Con Brio - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 18 No. 1 In F Major: II: Adagio Affettuoso Ed Appassionato - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 18 No. 1 In F Major: III: Scherzo (Allegro Molto) & Trio - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 18 No. 1 In F Major: IV: Allegro - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 59 No. 1 In F Major 'Rasumovsky': I: Allegro - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 59 No. 1 In F Major 'Rasumovsky': II: Allegretto Vivace E Sempre Scherzando - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 59 No. 1 In F Major 'Rasumovsky': III: Adagio molto e mesto : IV: Allegro (Th russe) - Alban Berg Quartett

Tracks:

Op. 18 No.2 In G Major: I: Allegro - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 18 No.2 In G Major: II: Adagio cantabile - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 18 No.2 In G Major: III: Scherzo (Allegro) & Trio - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 18 No.2 In G Major: IV: Allegro molto, quasi presto - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 18 No. 6 In B Flat Major: I: Allegro con brio - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 18 No. 6 In B Flat Major: II: Adagio, ma non troppo - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 18 No. 6 In B Flat Major: III: Scherzo (Allegro) & Trio - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 18 No. 6 In B Flat Major: IV: Adagio (La Malinconia) - Allegretto quasi Allegro - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 135 In F Major: I: Allegretto - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 135 In F Major: II: Vivace - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 135 In F Major: III: Lento assai, cantante e tranquillo - Alban Berg Quartett
Op. 135 In F Major: IV: Grave, ma non troppo tratto - Allegro - Alban Berg Quartett

Tracks:

Op. 18 No. 3 In D Major: I. Allegro
Op. 18 No. 3 In D Major: II. Andante con moto
III. Allegro
Op. 18 No. 3 In D Major: IV. Presto
Op. 18 No. 5 in A Major: I. Allegro
Op. 18 No. 5 in A Major: II. Menuetto & Trio
Op. 18 No. 5 in A Major: III. Andante cantabile
Op. 18 No. 5 in A Major: IV. Allegro
Op. 95 In F Minor: I. Allegro con brio
Op. 95 In F Minor: II. Allegretto ma non troppo
Op. 95 In F Minor: III: Allegro assai vivace, ma serioso

Tracks:

Op. 18 No. 4 In C Minor: I. Allegro ma non tanto
Op. 18 No. 4 In C Minor: II. Scherzo (Andante scherzoso quasi Allegretto)
Op. 18 No. 4 In C Minor: III. Menuetto (Allegretto) & Trio
Op. 18 No. 4 In C Minor: IV. Allegro
Op. 130 in B flat Major: I. Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro
Op. 130 in B flat Major: II. Presto
Op. 130 in B flat Major: III. Andante con moto, ma non troppo
Op. 130 in B flat Major: IV. Alla danza tedesca (Allegro assai)
Op. 130 in B flat Major: V Cavatina (Adagio molto espressivo)
Grosse Fuge In B Flat Major, Op. 133
Op. 130 in B flat Major: VI. Finale (Allegro)

Tracks:

Op. 59 No. 2 In E Minor 'Rasumovsky': I: Allegro
Op. 59 No. 2 In E Minor 'Rasumovsky': II: Molto Allegro
Op. 59 No. 2 In E Minor 'Rasumovsky': III: Allegretto
Op. 59 No. 2 In E Minor 'Rasumovsky': IV: Finale (Presto)
Op. 127 In E Flat Major: I: Maaestoso - Allegro
Op. 127 In E Flat Major: II: Adagio ma non troppo, molto cantabile
Op. 127 In E Flat Major: III: Scherzando vivace
Op. 127 In E Flat Major: IV: Finale

Tracks:

Op. 59 No. 3 In C Major 'Rasumovsky': I: Introduzione (Andante con moto) - Allegro vivace
Op. 59 No. 3 In C Major 'Rasumovsky': II: Andante con moto quasi allegretto
Op. 59 No. 3 In C Major 'Rasumovsky': III: Menuetto (Grazioso) & Trio
Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: I: Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo
Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: II: Allegro molto vivace
Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: III: Allegro moderato
Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: IV: Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile
Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: V: Presto
Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: VI: Adagio quasi un poco andante
Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: VI: Adagio quasi un poco andante

Tracks:

Op. 74 In E Flat Major 'Harp': I Poco adagio - Allegro - Beethoven
Op. 74 In E Flat Major 'Harp': II. Adagio ma non troppo - Beethoven
Op. 74 In E Flat Major 'Harp': III. Presto - Beethoven
Op. 74 In E Flat Major 'Harp': IV: Allegretto con Variazioni - Beethoven
Op.132 In A Minor: I: Allegro sostenuto - Allegro - Beethoven
Op.132 In A Minor: II: Allegro ma non tanto - Beethoven
Op.132 In A Minor: III: Molto adagio - Beethoven
Op.132 In A Minor: IV: Alla marcia, assai vivace - Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful Beethoven cycle.......2007-06-18

This is a fine recording, remastered for the reissue. Intelligent, driving, finely played. Excellent musicianship. Buy it. You won't be sorry you did.

A LONG TIME COMING AT THIS PRICE .......2007-06-02

On LP I own any number of complete Beethoven String Quartets by the great masters of that genre. I bought them all as a teenager and in college. When I started buying CDs a complete Beethoven set for over $100 by a great quartet became out of my price range at the time. To find the Berg Quartet, (a favorite group of mine), surveying these great works at this price from Amazon is one of the best bargains going.

I went immediately to Op. 135 and found it marvelous in concept, execution and recording. I've now listened to almost all the quartets, and the consistency is wonderful. Because I'm in the business I'm using only high end professional equipment for playback and the sound is truly "You Are There". The recordings capture the upper overtones of all the instruments without the least harhsness, no mean feat. The blend of the group and the hall is articulated in a way that happens on only a very few recordings. Ocassionally one can hear a minor difference in what might be placement of microphones, even from movement to movement. This could, in fact, be the result of a temperature or humidity change in the recording venue. You have to pay very close attention to notice this and it does nothing to diminish these sonic wonders) Worth thrice the price.

What more can be said?.......2007-02-03

There are many wonderful performances of these remarkable pieces. Which is the finest? Only God, in his wisdom, will ever be able to answer such a question, but I'm sure with his celestial headphones on he'll be listening to the Alban Berg Quartet. For me this quartet is able to "read" each individual quartet with such clarity, from the light hearted humor of the Op.18 to the intense and darkly passionate Op.95 through to the strangely happy yet unearthly Op.135, with many other wonderful moments, that I can hardly imagine any better. You won't go wrong buying this.

With the Best of the Best.......2006-12-14

I know it's saying a great deal with the excellent full sets of these quartets to choose from, but these overall are my favorites. The playing is excellent, balanced and perfectly toned. There are unquestionably the deep emotional commitment of the Vegh Quartet, the intelligence of the Juilliard, the parlor intimacy of the Talisch and the muscular intensity of the Italiano. And the serious collector needs to listen to these sets, or selections of, for a rounded understanding of these works. But for a consistency of quality and feeling throughout a traversal of all the quartets I believe the Berg set wins an arguably close contest--at least for me.

What sound problems????.......2006-11-14

I am only writing this review in dispute of RB Townsend remarks below.
I have been listening to this mostly Live set for a few years now on high end Audiophile equipment and notice NO problems with sound at all.
It is clear, clean, crisp, transparent and rich with no "glare" at all.
if it is "well lit", this would suit Beethoven's strings perfectly.
An absolutely stunning performance with a Superb sound stage and sound.
All the other reviewers and the buyers who agree with their assessments (a hundred of them) can't be wrong.
With all due respect, Perhaps Mr. Townsend is listening to this on an Aiwa bookshelf System. Perhaps.

Average customer rating:

great musicians
An older recording, but still amazing
great recording
Very good!
stirring!

Brahms: Complete Piano Quartets

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000041EI
Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

Piano Quartet In G Minor, Op. 25: 1. Allegro - J. Brahms
Piano Quartet In G Minor, Op. 25: 2. Intermezzo. Allegro ma non troppo - J. Brahms
Piano Quartet In G Minor, Op. 25: 3. Andante con moto - J. Brahms
Piano Quartet In G Minor, Op. 25: 4. Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto - J. Brahms
Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60: 1. Allegro ma non troppo - J. Brahms
Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60: 2. Scherzo. Allegro - J. Brahms
Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60: 3. Andante - J. Brahms
Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60: Finale. Allegro - J. Brahms

Tracks:

Piano Quartet in A, Op. 26: 1. Allegro non troppo - Brahms
Piano Quartet in A, Op. 26: 2. Poco adagio - Brahms
Piano Quartet in A, Op. 26: 3. Scherzo. Poco allegro - Brahms
Piano Quartet in A, Op. 26: 4. Finale. Allegro - Brahms
Piano Trio in A, Op. posth.: 1. Moderato - Brahms
Piano Trio in A, Op. posth.: 2. Vivace - Brahms
Piano Trio in A, Op. posth.: 3. Lento - Brahms
Piano Trio in A, Op. posth.: 4. Presto - Brahms

Customer Reviews:

great musicians.......2005-10-09

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.

An older recording, but still amazing.......2002-06-23

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)!

great recording.......2002-05-17

This is chamber music at its best played by the masters, the Beaux Arts Trio. All the pieces are played in a crisp, clean manner with the proper emotion and phrasing.

Very good!.......2001-04-01

I am an avid Brahms fan and just recently picked up this copy of the quartets. I love them! The rondo of the first quartet is fascinating and the pain in the C minor trio is unmistakable. As traditional as Brahms is, he is a definate romantic. I agree [...] about the last trio that is attributed to him. It isn't as good by far. The sound is very clear and the pianist on the recordings impressed me. If you don't own the quartets, go ahead and buy this set. You won't be dissapointed!

stirring!.......2000-01-10

I have only recently begun to love Brahms and these recordings make me question why it's taken so long! The music is incredibly rich and colorful, especially the C minor, Werther's Ballad, which you can just feel Brahms pain at losing his friend Robert Schumann! The Beaux Arts Trio is a sure winner! You will enjoy this!

Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Emerson String Quartet

Average customer rating:

First Rate Performances
Fantastic
Beautiful Performances
LIKE WATER FROM A PUBLIC FOUNTAIN

Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Emerson String Quartet
Felix Mendelssohn , and Emerson String Quartet
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0006TN9G2
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

I. Adagio - Allegro Vivace
II. Adagio Non Lento
III. Intermezzo: Allegretto Con Moto
IV. Presto
A Tempo Ordinario
I. Adaigo Non Troppo - Allegro Non Tardante
II. Canzonetta: Allegretto
III. Andante Espressivo
IV. Molto Allegro E Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro Assai Appassionato
II. Scherzo: Allegro Di Molto
III. Andante
IV. Presto Agitato
I. Allegro Vivace
II. Scherzo: Assai Leggiero Vivace
III. Adagio Non Troppo
IV. Molto Allegro Con Fuoco

Tracks:

I. Molto Allegro Vivace
II. Menuetto: Un Poco Allegretto
III. Andante Espressivo Ma Con Moto
IV. Presto Con Brio
Andante con Moto - Allegro Fugato, Assai Vivace
I. Allegro Vivace Assai
II. Allegro Assai
III. Adagio
IV. Finale: Allegro Molto
Andante Sostenuto
Allegro Leggiero

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato, Ma Con Fuoco
II. Andante
III. Scherzo: Allegro Leggierissimo
IV. Presto
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio Non Troppo
III. Minuetto
IV. Fuga

Amazon.com

Trust the Emerson Quartet to do nothing by halves. This 4-CD set presents all of Mendelssohn's quartets, including one written at 14, the five pieces Op. 81, as well as the Octet. This set should disprove the assertion that Mendelssohn, a sensational prodigy, blossomed young and never developed further. The difference in compositional skill and emotional depth between the early and late quartets is unmistakable; the miracle is that he could write the Octet at 16. The quartets are of uneven quality: Op. 44 No. 3 is distinctly inferior to the more-familiar Nos. 1 and 2; of the two Fugues Op. 81, the later one is far better. The quartets Op. 12 and 13 (written in reverse order) pay homage to Beethoven in Mendelssohn's very own romantic voice. Op. 80 is masterful although perhaps less disciplined: written just after his beloved sister Fanny's death and shortly before his own, it is a turbulent, heart-rending outcry of anguish. Some of the most-magical moments occur in the inimitable Scherzi and Intermezzi. The performances are vintage Emerson: impeccable individually and together, beautiful in sound, clear, carefully worked out. Although generally a little cool, they can rise to considerable warmth and passion. Not surprisingly, the best pieces elicit the most involved, exciting playing. As always, the violinists switch parts, but the whole group also alternates old Italian and modern American instruments, for the players have a surprise in store: they give the Octet a new twist by "doubling" on all eight parts through a complicated process of over-dubbing (a documentary video of the recording process is included). Here, using the different instruments is intended to combine the old and the new and to give the voices more-distinct timbres. However, the differences throughout are imperceptible. The idea of playing the Octet with themselves, so to speak, is intriguing, but the result is disappointing. Hearing four rather than eight individual voices is disconcerting, and worse, the balance is completely awry, especially in the corner movements. The busy tremolo accompaniment makes the middle register thick and heavy, the tone gets rough, important lines are obscured, and the Quartet's customary admirable textural transparency is lost. And even a cellist as splendid as David Finckel cannot save the opening of the Fugue from sounding like a growl. This may be a triumph of recording technology, but it adds nothing to the music or the performance. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

First Rate Performances.......2006-09-18

This is a series of first rate performances by the outstanding Emerson String Quartet. They include all the Mendelssohn quartets, including rarely heard juvenile work, and as a bonus, the very enjoyable Octet. This is a good deal of lovely music. The Mendelssohn quartets, however, are generally excellent as opposed to outstanding chamber music. Well worth owning and listening to but a step below the pinnacles of the chamber literature.

Fantastic.......2006-07-01

I never have cared much for Mendelssohn, nor have I cared much for String Quartets, but after listening to the Emerson String Quartet's Shostakovich cycle and finding that I enjoyed it immensely, I undertook listening to the Mendelssohn cycle.

In the privacy of my living room, on several occasions I stood up and cheered! Absolutely magnificent. Enough said.

Highly recommended.

Beautiful Performances.......2005-09-10

Mendelssohn's string quartets are very appealing, tuneful works that engage the listener completely. Chamber music was an important part of Mendelssohn's output and one does not gain a full picture of his growth as a composer by only being familiar with his orchestral works. This 4-CD set by the Emerson String Quartet brilliantly explores not only the six numbered quartets but includes the shorter Op. 81 works (published after Mendelssohn's death), the student quartet (written when the composer was 14) and the stunning Octet for strings.

Naturally, the early quartets (written in 1827 and 1829 but published in reverse order in 1830) reflect the influence of other composers, most notably Beethoven. The movements of these quartets were linked by thematic ideas. The quartet in A minor uses Mendelssohn's song Frage (Question) as the musical link. The quartet in E-Flat (Op. 12) was composed during Mendelssohn's trip to the British Isles, which also inspired his Scottish Symphony and Hebrides Overture.

When Mendelssohn next turned to the form he was the director of the Gewandhaus and a famous composer. The composition of the three quartets Op. 44 (number 3, 4 and 5) occurred after his marriage to Cecile Jeanrenaud in 1837 and were composed during his two month long honeymoon. These quartets reflect the composer's maturity and accessible style. The sixth quartet was published after Mendelssohn's death and was written following the sudden death of his sister Fanny in May 1847. It follows that the quartet is darker than the others and is agitated and dissonant in tone; the first movement begins with dark tones from the cello then proceeds with a beautiful melody punctuated with tremolos. The scherzo is characterized by an unusual tempo that has a frantic quality to it. The Adagio allows Mendelssohn to fully express his grief and the Finale has the syncopated rhythm of the scherzo.

The five pieces collected as Op. 81 contain what probably are two movements for an unfinished quartet - a Theme and Variations in E major and Scherzo in A minor. It was reported by the composer Ignaz Moschelles that Mendelssohn was at work on a new string quartet before his death and of these two pieces the Theme and Variations is closest to the description of the work. The earliest of Mendelssohn's quartets appears last on the CDs and is a pleasant work written under the influence of Mozart and Haydn.
The Octet receives a marvelous performance with the Emerson playing all of the parts with each member playing different instruments and seated in different positions during the recording sessions.

The performances are impeccable with beautiful and clear sound. I purchased the set anticipating a performance of three of the quartets by the Emerson. As I have listened to the set the warmth and sensitivity of the playing makes this the Mendelssohn quartets to own. I have only become interested in chamber music in recent years and Mendelssohn was a natural choice for me because of his gift of melody. I think this music would appeal to someone getting to know chamber music.

LIKE WATER FROM A PUBLIC FOUNTAIN.......2005-05-12

That was Wagner's dismissive description of the music of Mendelssohn. In the later 19th century there was a critical reaction against both of the great Germans who had dominated English music for a century and a half overall, Handel and Mendelssohn. As is usual with such debunking, much of it was trivial and petulant. However Handel has recovered strongly over the last 50 years and by now is probably almost as familiar as Bach is, whereas Mendelssohn has not. The popular favourites among his compositions have never ceased to be that, but opportunities to hear most of his chamber music and songs are still rare. I am myself in the happy position of having attended two years ago a festival dedicated to those sides of his output, and consequently I know the works on this distinguished set fairly well.

The performers are the Emerson Quartet, and the quality of their work is well known. In every imaginable respect it is superlatively good. Technically these accounts are flawless, and in terms of comprehension of the music and insight into the spirit of the composer I prefer to learn from them rather than to pass otiose comment. There are 7 complete quartets here, plus 5 isolated movements. Being moderately familiar with the music I would advise newcomers that the approach taken throughout is `normal' in the best sense and free from idiosyncrasies - if you are looking for `model' performances of these works this would be where to look. Mendelssohn's tempo markings, unlike those of greater composers such as Beethoven Schubert and Brahms, are almost invariably clear and unambiguous. In the one case where a bit of interpretation is called for, the central two movements of the D major quartet op44/1, I am convinced and delighted by the solution adopted. The Emersons take the minuet slowly and the following `andante con moto' at a very flowing pace, almost like an andante in Handel, so that the minuet seems like the slow movement and the andante like an intermezzo in moderate tempo.

I love Mendelssohn and I love these quartets. However I can't get it out of my mind that Wagner had a bit of a point. Shaw complains of Mendelssohn's `kid-glove gentility' and he is uncomfortably near the bone. Mendelssohn is truly unique, and what he does best he does better than anybody. At the age of 16 or 17 he turned out the octet, the rondo capriccioso for piano and the Midsummer Night's Dream overture, all of them truly astounding. However by age 20 he was only one precocious prodigy among a larger number who had caught up by then and went on to surpass him. There is a definite sense of development as between the quartet he wrote at age 14 (contemporary with the string symphonies, which I commend strongly to those unfamiliar with them) where the unmistakable personal idiom has not yet quite emerged and the op12/13 quartets and then the op44's and later in which it has. However it's development within a narrow range of expression, and his early death means we can never know whether he had it in him to raise his game drastically, as Wagner and Verdi so spectacularly did when older than Mendelssohn lived to be.

The Emersons have also taken it into their heads to record the octet played by themselves only. People with their amount of talent must be tempted to such brilliant but completely dotty schemes at times. There is an enthusiastic contribution to the liner-note by Eugene Drucker, and the disc will run on a pc to show the process of recording. I can confirm that it actually does this, but I have no sound-card nor any wish for one, so all I can attest is the visual aspect, and only a little of that. I must also warn that I had difficulty in getting the exit-button to obey me. As a performance it is really very good, with the finale fully up to speed as I like it, and I would never have known what nonsense they were getting up to. However something goes wrong with the recording, which is very bottom-heavy in the first movement in particular.

Otherwise the recording is excellent. The main liner-note is fine if a little lengthy. When I began to think it didn't really say a lot, that brought me back to the question - how much, really, is there to say?

Average customer rating:

A superb Haydn benchmark
Perfect Dinner Music
Delightful Background Music
He truly is the father of string quartets!
A matter of taste?

Haydn: Complete String Quartets
Angeles String Quartet
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000501PC
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: I. Presto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: V. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: I. Presto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: III. Adagio
Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: V. Presto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: I. Allegro
Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: V. Presto
Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: I. Adagio
Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: III. Presto
Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: V. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: I. Presto
Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: III. Adagio Ma Non Tanto
Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: V. Presto
Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: I. Presto Assai
Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: III. Adagio
Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: V. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: I. Allegro
Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: III. Adagio
Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: V. Allegro Molto

Tracks:

Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: I. Allegro Molto
Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: V. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: I. Presto
Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: III. Adagio
Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: IV Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: V. Allegro
Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: I. Adagio
Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: III. Presto: Scherzo
Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: V. Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: I. Moderato
Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: II. Menuetto: Un Poco Allegretto
Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: III. Adagio
Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: I. Moderato
Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: IV. Finale: Allegro Molto
Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: III. Largo
Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: I. Moderato
Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: III. Adagio Cantabile
Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: I. Poco Adagio: Theme And Vars
Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: II. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: III. Largo Cantabile
Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: I. Presto
Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: III. Adagio
Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: I. Moderato
Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: II. Menuet
Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: I. Moderato
Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: II. Menuet: Poco Allegretto
Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: III. Adagio
Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: IV. Finale: Allegro Di Molto

Tracks:

Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: I. Andante Grazioso
Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: II. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: IV. Allegro Di Molto
Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: I. Moderato
Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: II. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: III. Adagio Cantabile
Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: IV. Finale: Allegro
Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: I. Moderato
Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: II. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: III. Adagio
Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: I. Presto
Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: II. Menuet
Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: III. Largo
Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: IV. Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: II. Menuet: Un Poco Allegretto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: III. Affettuoso E Sostenuto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: I. Moderato
Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: II. Capriccio: Adagio
Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: III. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: IV. Fuga A Quattro Soggeti: Allegro
Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: I. Allegro Con Spirito
Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: II. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: III. Poco Adagio
Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: IV. Allegro Di Molto

Tracks:

Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: I. Allegro Di Molto
Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: II. Un Poco Adagio E Affettuoso
Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: II. Menuet Alla Zingarese
Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: IV. Presto E Scherzando
Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: I. Moderato
Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: II. Menuet
Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: III. Adagio
Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: IV. Fuga A Due Soggetti
Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: I. Allegro Di Molto E Scherzando
Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: II. Adagio
Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: III. Menuetto
Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: IV. Fuga A Tre Soggetti: Allegro

Tracks:

Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: II. Scherzo: Allegro
Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: III. Andante
Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: IV. Presto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': I. Allegro Moderato, Cantabile
Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': II. Scherzo: Allegro
Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': III. Largo Sostenuto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': II. Scherzo: Allegretto
Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': III. Adagio
Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': IV. Rondo: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: II. Scherzo: Allegretto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: III. Largo
Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: IV. Presto
Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: I. Vivace Assai
Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: II. Largo E Cantabile
Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: III. Scherzo: Allegro
Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: IV. Finale: Allegretto
Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: I. Vivace Assai
Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: II. Andante
Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: III. Scherzo: Allegretto
Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: IV. Finale: Allegretto
Str Qt in d, Op.42: I. Andante Ed Innocentemente
Str Qt in d, Op.42: II. Menuet
Str Qt in d, Op.42: III. Adagio E Cantabile
Str Qt in d, Op.42: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: I. Allegro
Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: II. Adagio Non Lento
Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: III. Poco Allegretto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: IV. Finale: Vivace
Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: I. Vivace
Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: II. Adagio Cantabile
Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: IV. Finale: Vivace Assai
Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: I. Allegro Con Brio
Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: II. Andante Piu Tosto Allegretto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: I. Allegro Spirito
Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: II. Andante
Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: III. Menuetto
Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: IV. Fuga: Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: II. Poco Adagio
Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: III. Menuetto
Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: IV. Finale: Vivace
Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': I. Allegro
Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': II. Poco Adagio
Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': IV. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

Tracks:

Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: I. Vivace Assai
Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: II. Allegretto
Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: III. Menuet
Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: IV. Vivace
Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: I. Vivace
Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: II. Adagio -
Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: IV. Adagio
Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: I. Allegretto
Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: II. Largo
Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: I. Allegro
Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: II. Adagio Cantabile
Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: III. Menuet
Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: IV. Finale: Vivace
Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': I. Andante
Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': II. Allegro
Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': IV. Presto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: I. Vivace Assai
Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: III. Menuetto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: IV. Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: II. Menuet: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: III. Allegretto Scherzando
Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in b, Op.64 No.3: I. Allegro Spirito
Str Qt in b, Op.64 No.3: II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Str Qt in b, Op.64 No.3: III. Menuet: Allegretto -

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

A massive set--67 string quartets on 21 discs in a budget-priced, shelf-friendly, compact box. So the obvious question is: do you need it? The equally obvious answer is a resounding "yes" if you love these endlessly inventive quartets and if you appreciate superbly played performances that capture both the letter and the spirit of Haydn's genius. The Angeles String Quartet isn't as well known as some ensembles that have recorded complete Haydn sets, but they are superior to all, with the arguable exception of the Tatrai Quartet. They demonstrate technical polish and rich, warm sound that's never cloying. And they give these works the forward-moving impetus they need within a classical framework, eschewing both anachronistic Romanticism and the mechanical astringency of period specialists.

The Angeles Quartet is unique in its mastery of early as well as late works, in tune with Haydn's stylistic development and sensitive to the attractions of each of these remarkable pieces. So they infuse the visionary slow movements of the late quartets with the appropriate depth and at the same time revel in the muscularity of the Opus 76 No.2's catchy Menuetto, the humor of the "Joke" Quartet, Opus 33 No.2, and the power of the Allegro con spirito of Opus 76 No.1. Most impressive is their way with the early quartets--no small matter when you consider that the contents of the first six discs precede the Opus 20 set generally considered as signaling the maturity of the form. The Angeles make even the earliest quartets, five-movement divertimentos for four strings, a habit-forming delight. Their playing here is full of exuberance, wittily playful and rough, peasantlike by turns. The sonics are outstanding, too, well-balanced, warm, and lifelike. An indispensable recording. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

A superb Haydn benchmark.......2007-06-28

It takes a lot of time to grasp Haydn's music, because there's much of everything: symphonies, piano sonatas, operas, piano trios, string quartets, choral works, songs, etc. - in sum, more than one thousand individual works. It will probably take more than a year listening to it all, and comprehend it as well (i.e., not as "background music"). Few, if any person, can have a complete grasp of everything he wrote.

But there are nonetheless good reasons trying to grasp Haydn's music, at least partly. This bargain set - 68 string quartets on 21 CDs - is a perfectly good reason. Haydn's string quartets contain some of his finest music. And the present recordings with Angeles Quartet are simply superb. Unlike many period instrument performers, Angeles Quartet avoids meticulous mannerism and plays this music with energy and passion, without loosing structural control. Furthermore, the recordings are excellent, with a rich, creamy and spacious sound. In short, great performances and excellent engineering. A benchmark recording, no less.

There are some rival complete sets: Aeolian Quartet (Decca), Festetics Quartet (period instrument performances, Arcana), Tátrai (Hungaroton), and Kodaly Quartet (Naxos). In terms of sound, the present set is clearly preferable. In terms of performances, the only serious rival is Tátrai Quartet's classic collection from the sixties. But Angeles Quartet is not a second choice. If you hesitate, you need both. Budget and shelf space minded collectors need not hesitate.

Perfect Dinner Music.......2007-05-14

Some might be offended at the idea that music be played in the background to accompany a fine meal, but in fact most of us listen to music in the background. This entire set of 15-CDs is (to my ears) the perfect music to accompany a delicious meal with someone you love. I have owned this CD set for years and never tire of it.

I have found that after listening to it hundreds of times that using iTunes in shuffle mode keeps it fresh.

Delightful Background Music.......2006-03-04

This music is a great buy, and wonderful to listen to while doing desk work or reading.

The Angeles String Quartet does an excellent job, and all of the works are so tuneful that I frequently found myself walking around the house humming the tunes after hearing a quartet for the first time.

He truly is the father of string quartets!.......2005-09-27

This may not be true as far as the instrumentation is concerned, but Haydn is one of the first to explore them as more than a solo violin with a trio accompaniment (second violin, viola and cello), thus giving the chamber music a new dimension.

If you've already explored Haydn's universe through some of his glorious symphonies, these string quartets are an excellent way of further expanding your appreciation of Haydn's music. There are very few dull moments in this lot (and almost all of them are to be found in his early quartets, while there are a few in his very latest works, where he seems to have lost the energy and brio that had established him as one of the best composers of his time). His first works have five movements and ressemble the divertimenti or serenatas. Later on, his quartets took a form which was to become standard, both for Haydn and other composers: four movements - a fast one, a slow one, a minuet and trio and a fast finale.

If one listens to Haydn's string quartes in chronological order, one can feel and appreciate his growth and maturity as a composer. The motives introduced during the first movement are developed over the entire work entity, the increasing use of first movements that are monothematic, the expansion of harmonic usage, the combination of serious with funny, intellectual with ridicule, etc.

Both Mozart and Beethoven wrote famous series of string quartets, but I've always liked Haydn's quartets the most. My personal favorites are op. 76 (especially no 3, which later on became the German National Anthem), op. 64 (especially no 5 called "The lark") and op. 33 (where Haydn introduced special effects, like a birdcall, which gave the third quartet its name).

A matter of taste?.......2005-05-31

It is something unpleasant about the sound here; it is resonant, yes, but not like the Takacs quartet. Comparing to the Takacs' take on op.76/1, 2 & 3, which I love, the Angeles' makes me think of a grey substance, sterile, antiseptic, of no life. Is it the sound quality? Or is it the way the quartet is playing? I think the latter, but it is difficult to figure out what is wrong; in fact I don't find any serious miscalculations. The problem is that the playing feels calculated; it is some kind of contrived perfection, it all feels too concious; I feel something wrong about the accent, the stress of the phrasings... but I give up: Suffice it to say that I regret I bought this collection of boring performances. Three stars for professional playing. If you like some human touch, go for the Aeolian quartet, less perfection, more life.

Average customer rating:

masterful playing, excellent recording
outstanding performances

Sibelius: Complete String Quartets
Jean Sibelius , Sibelius String Quartet , and New Helsinki Quartet
Manufacturer: Finlandia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Sibelius: Complete music for cello & piano
Prokofiev: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2; Cello Sonata
Sibelius: Complete Piano Quartets
Sibelius: Complete Piano Trios, Vol. 2
Franck: Quintet in Fm; Chausson: String quartet in Cm

ASIN: B00005UNOT
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

String Quartet in E Flat Major: Allegro
String Quartet in E Flat Major: Andante molto
String Quartet in E Flat Major: Scherzo (Allegretto)
String Quartet in E Flat Major: Vivace
String Quartet in A Minor: Andante-Allegro
String Quartet in A Minor: Adagio ma non troppo
String Quartet in A Minor: Vivace
String Quartet in A Minor: Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet in B Flat Major, Op. 4: Allegro
String Quartet in B Flat Major, Op. 4: Andante sostenuto
String Quartet in B Flat Major, Op. 4: Presto
String Quartet in B Flat Major, Op. 4: Allegro
String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 56: Andante-Allegro molto moderato
String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 56: Vivace
String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 56: Adagio di molto
String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 56: Allegro (ma pesante)
String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 56: Allegro

Amazon.com

Out of Sibelius's four completed string quartets, only one dates from his mature mastery: the dark, intimate Op. 56 "Voces Intimae." By contrast, the A Minor and B-flat major reveal an assured surface style redolent of Dvorák and Tchaikovsky, but laced with original touches that foreshadow the Sibelius to come. The same cannot be said of the 19-year-old composer's well-crafted but derivative, Haydnesque E-flat Quartet. The Sibelius Academy Quartet recorded all four works in the 1980s for Finlandia, and the label eventually compiled these amply engineered, scrupulously prepared, and heartfelt performances for a 1992 double-disc release. Here they are again, but with the Sibelius Academy's "Voces Intimae" replaced by the New Helsinki Quartet's 1998 recording. By and large, the change is not for the better. To be certain, there's much to admire in the New Helsinki's leaner timbre, which imbues the music's contrapuntal give and take with an appropriately austere transparency, similar to the Melos Quartet's excellent version on Harmonia Mundi. At the same time, the Helsinki group's well-played yet essentially soft-grained Scherzo falls short of the Melos's and Sibelius Academy's characterful bite and nervous energy. All the same, listeners who wish to acquire Sibelius's quartet output at Finlandia's reduced two-for-one price won't be disappointed. But where does that leave the Sibelius Academy Quartet's superior "Voces Intimae"? --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

masterful playing, excellent recording.......2006-01-11

In listening to all four quartets, one can hear a definite evolution of ideas, from the first quartet that is reminiscent of Haydn or Mozart, to the middle quartets which seem to be influenced by the work of Dvorak, and the fourth string quartet "Voces Intimae" (one of my all-time favorite string quartets) which seems quite original and played masterfully by the New Helsinki Quartet. The sound quality also seems quite good. Also, check out the Sibelius Academy Quartet's version of "Voces Intimae" (95851). This was the version I heard that originally compelled me to purchase his quartets.

outstanding performances.......2003-07-28

This is a really magnificant performance of Sibby's string quartets, especially the last two, which are pretty stunning! Can't recommend it enough.

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Complete String Quartets
Juilliard String Quartet
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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The Beethoven Quartet Companion
Beethoven: The String Quartets
Mahler: The Symphonies
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9; Overtures; Violin Concerto (Limited Edition)
Complete String Quartets

ASIN: B00006OA6A
Release Date: 2002-11-11

Tracks:

1-4 String Quartet No.1 In F Major, Op. 18 No.1
5-8 String Quartet No.2 In G Major, Op.18 No.2
9-12 String Quartet No.3 In D Major, Op.18 No.3
1-4 String Quartet No.4 In D Minor, Op. 18 No.3
5-8 String Quartet No.5 In A Major, Op.18 No.5
9-12 String Quartet No.6 In B-Flat Major, Op.18 No.6
1-4 String Quartet No.7 In F Major, Op.59 No.1
1-4 String Quartet No.8 In E Minor, Op.59 No.2
5-8 String Quartet No.9 In C Major, Op.59 No.3
1-4 String Quartet No.10 In E-Flat Major, Op. 74 "Harp"
5-8 String Quartet No.11 In F Minor Op.95
1-4 String Quartet No.12 In E-Flat Major, Op.127
5-11 String Quartet No.13 In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131
1-7 String Quartet No.14 In B-Flat Major, Op. 130
1-5 String Quartet No.15 In A Minor, Op.132
6-9 String Quartet No.16 In F Major, Op. 135

Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Pacifica Quartet

Average customer rating:

Be Certain to Preview Before Buying
Young Contenders

Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Pacifica Quartet
Felix Mendelssohn , and Pacifica Quartet
Manufacturer: Cedille
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Declarations: Music Between the Wars
Mendelssohn: Octet; Quintets Nos. 1 & 2; Quartet No. 2
String Quartet No 13 in G, Op 106 and String Quintet in E flat Op 97
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1; Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 1
Scarlatti: Piano Sonatas

ASIN: B00082ZSIY
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Album Description

One of today's most dynamic and exciting ensembles, the Pacifica Quartet celebrates its 10th anniversary with a three-CD set of Mendelssohn's complete string quartet cycle. Known for its "stunningly expressive performances" (The Guardian) and "ideal balance" (Washington Post), the youthful Pacifica is a perfect match for this early Romantic composer's exuberant chamber music.

Customer Reviews:

Be Certain to Preview Before Buying.......2006-02-24

I had heard rave reviews for this box set so many times, that I decided to buy it and check it out. I hate being critical, but I also don't want others to just blindly go by other's opinions, which could possibly be biased. Classics Today gave this a 10 out of 10, but understand that Cedille Records is a major sponsor of theirs, and they always give high ratings to their records.

To sum up my impression of this CD, while they are very competent performances, they are far from excellent in my opinion. Perhaps it is just me, but I can swear the first violinist is SLIGHTLY off pitch in certain moments, noticeably the second movement in Op. 80. I am not fond of her technique either. She at times "feels" for the notes, rather than immediately hitting them right away, producing a glissando effect where none is called for. To me they draw attention to themselves performing the pieces. In other words, I can hear them in the process, not just the music itself being itself, which is overall the good mark of an excellent recording. This might be their youth, and I see this ensemble perhaps being one of the great ones down the road.

In sum, don't go by my word, or all the over-positive hype either. Listen to this recording before you purchase it. If you can't, then I personally would stick with the Talich Quartet's version (which Classics Today rightly praised), or for an older analogue version, the Melos Quartet on DG.

Young Contenders.......2005-08-03

When I first heard the Pacifica Quartet in New York last year, I was mightily impressed. Here was a young quartet that had the potential to take its place among the first ranks of quartets playing today. Listening to their complete Mendelssohn string quartets, I am more than confirmed in my initial enthusiasm. They have beautiful sound, refinement, energy - in short, a high quality quartet and a 3 CD set that I personally treasure.

Franz Joseph Haydn: Complete String Quartets (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Many Hours of Magnificent Listening Pleasure

Franz Joseph Haydn: Complete String Quartets (Box Set)
Kodly Quartet
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Haydn: Complete Piano Trios
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ASIN: B00004SSJF
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Allegro con spirito
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Adagio sostenuto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Menuetto: Presto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 76, No. 1, Hob. III: 75: Finale: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Allegro
String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Andante o piu tosto allegretto
String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Menuetto: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Hob. III: 76: Vivace assai
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Allegro
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Poco adagio, cantabile
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Menuetto: Allegro
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Allegro con spirito
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Adagio
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Menuetto: Allegro
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob. III: 78: Finale: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Allegretto - Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Largo cantabile e mesto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Menuetto: Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, Hob. III: 79: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Allegretto - Allegro
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Fantasia: Adagio
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Menuetto: Presto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6, Hob. III: 80: Finale: Allegro spirituoso

Tracks:

The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: L'Introduzione: Maestoso ed adagio
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata I: Pater, dimitte illis, non enim sciunt, quid faciunt (Largo)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata II: Amen dico tibi: hodie mecum eris in paradiso (Grave e cantabile)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata III: Mullier, ecce fillus tuus, et tu, ecce mater tua! (Grave)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata IV: Eli, Eli, lama asabthani? (Largo)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata V: Sitio (Adagio)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata VI: Consummatum est! (Lento)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Sonata VII: Peter! in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum - (Largo)
The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ - Op. 51, Hob. III: 50-56: Il terrmoto (Presto e con tutta la forza)
String Quartet No. 68 In D Minor, Op. 103 Hob. III: 83: Andante graziso
String Quartet No. 68 In D Minor, Op. 103 Hob. III: 83: Menuetto ma non troppo presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: Allegro
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: Adagio
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 1, Hob. III: 69: (Finale): Vivace
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Adagio-Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Adagio (cantobile)
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2, Hob. III: 70: Finale: Allegretto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Vivace
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Andante con moto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Menuetto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 71, No. 3, Hob. III: 71: Finale: Vivace

Tracks:

String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Vivace
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Adagio
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 57: Finale: Adagio-Presto-Adagio
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Allegro con brio
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Allegretto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III: 58: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Allegro
String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Largo cantobile
String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In E Major, Op. 54, No. 3, Hob. III: 59: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Allegro (moderato)
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Andantino (grazioso)
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Menuetto: Allegro
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 74, No. 1, Hob. III: 72: Finale: Vivace
String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Allegro spiritoso
String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Andadnte grazioso
String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Menuetto
String Quartet In F Major, Op. 74, No. 2, Hob. III: 73: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Allegro
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Largo assai
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Menuetto: (Allegretto)
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 74, No. 3, Hob. III: 74: Finbale: Allegro con brio

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Allegro
String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Adagio cantabile
String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Menuetto
String Quartet No. 45 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 1, Hob. III: 60: Finale: Vivace
String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Andante o piu tosto allegretto
String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Allegro
String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet No. 46 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 2, Hob. III: 61 'The Razor': Finale: Presto
String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Vivace assai
String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Adagio ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Menuetto
String Quartet No. 47 In A Major, Op. 55, No. 3, Hob. III: 62: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No. 1: Presto
String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No. 1: Minuet
String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No. 1: Adagio
String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No. 1: Minuet
String Quartet In B Flat Major Op. 1, No. 1: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Allegro molto
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Minuet
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Adagio
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Minuet
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 2: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Adagio
String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Minuet
String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Scherzo: Presto
String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Menuet
String Quartet In D Flat Major Op. 1, No. 3: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Presto
String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Minuet
String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Adagio ma non tanto
String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Minuet
String Quartet In G Flat Major Op. 1, No. 4: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Presto
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Minuet
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Adagio
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Minuet
String Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 1, No. 0: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Presto assai
String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Minuet
String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Adagio
String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Minuet
String Quartet In C Major Op. 2, No. 6: Finale: Allegro
String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Allegro
String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Minuet
String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Adagio
String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Minuet
String Quartet In D Major Op. 2, No. 1: Finale: Allegro molto
String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Allegro molto
String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Minuet
String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Adagio
String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Minuetto
String Quartet In G Major Op. 2, No. 2: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Allegro moderato
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Menuetto: Allegretto ma non troppo
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Allegretto scherzando
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 64, No. 1, Hob. III: 65: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Allegro spiritoso
String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Adagio ma non troppo
String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In B Minor, Op. 64, No. 2, Hob. III: 68: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Vivace assai
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Adagio
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3, Hob. III: 67: Finale: Allegro con spirito

Tracks:

String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Allegro con brio
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Adagio - Cantabile e sostenuto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 64, No. 4, Hob. III: 66: Finale: Presto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Allegro moderato
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Adagio - Cantabile
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, Hob. III: 63: Finale: Vivace
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Allegro
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Andante
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 6, Hob. III: 64: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Minuet: Un poco allegretto
Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Affetuoso e sostenuto
Quartet No. 28 In E Flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Moderato
Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Capriccio: Adagio
Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Minuet: Allegretto
Quartet No. 25 In C Major, Op. 20, No. 2: Fuga a quattro soggetti
Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Allegro con spirito
Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Minuet: Allegretto
Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Poco adagio
Quartet No. 26 In G Minor, Op. 20, No. 3: Finale: Allegro di molto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Allegro di molto
Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Un poco adagio e affettuoso
Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Menuet alla Zingarese: Allegretto
Quartet No. 27 In D Major, Op. 20, No. 4: Presto e scherzando
Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Moderato
Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Menuet
Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Adagio
Quartet No. 23 In F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5: Finale: Fuga a due soggetti
Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Allegro di molto e scherzando
Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Adagio
Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Menuet
Quartet No. 24 In A Major, Op. 20, No. 6: Fuga con tre soggetti

Tracks:

Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Andante ed Innocentemente
Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Menuetto: Allegretto
Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Adagio e cantabile
Quartet No. 35 In D Minor, Op. 42: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Presto
Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Menuet
Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Adagio
Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Menuet: Allegretto
Quartet No. 9 In F Major, Op. 2, No. 4: Finale: Allegro
Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Adagio With Variations
Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Menuet
Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Scherzo: Presto
Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Menuet
Quartet No. 10 In B Flat Major, Op. 2, No. 6: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Moderato
Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Menuet
Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Adagio - Cantabile
Quartet No. 11 In D Minor, Op. 9, No. 4: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Moderato
Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Menuet: Un poco allegretto
Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Adagio
Quartet No. 12 In C Major, Op. 9, No. 1: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Moderato
Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Menuet: Allegretto
Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Largo
Quartet No. 13 In G Major, Op. 9, No. 3: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Moderato
Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Menuet
Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Adagio
Quartet No. 14 In E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2: Finale: Allegro di molto
Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Poco adagio
Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Menuet: Allegretto
Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Largo: Cantabile
Quartet No. 15 In B Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 5: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Presto
Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Menuet
Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Adagio
Quartet No. 16 In A Major, Op. 9, No. 6: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Vivace assai
Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Largo e cantabile
Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Scherzo
Quartet No. 29 In G Major, Op. 33, No. 5 'How Do You Do?': Finale
Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Scherzo
Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Largo e sostenuto
Quartet No. 30 In E Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 'The Joke': Finale
Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Scherzo
Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Andante
Quartet No. 31 In B Minor, Op. 33, No. 1: Finale

Tracks:

Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Scherzo: Allegretto
Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Adagio ma non troppo
Quartet No. 32 In C Major, Op. 33, No. 3 'The Bird': Finale: Rondo - Presto
Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Vivace assai
Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Andante
Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Scherzo: Allegretto
Quartet No. 33 In D Major, Op. 33, No. 6: Finale: Rondo - Presto
Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Scherzo: Allegretto
Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Largo
Quartet No. 34 In B Flat Major, Op. 33, No. 4: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Moderato
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Adagio
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 2 In F Major: Finale: Allegro di molto
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Moderato
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Adagio
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 1 In E Major: Finale: Presto
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Moderato
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Menuetto
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Adagio cantabile
String Quartet Op. 17 No. 4 In C Minor: Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Presto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Menuetto
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Largo
String Quartet In D Major, Op. 17, No. 6: Presto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Andate grazioso
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Adagio
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3: Allegro molto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Moderato
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Menuetto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Adagio
String Quartet In G Major, Op. 17, No. 5: Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Adagio
Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Menuetto: Presto
Quartet No. 66 In G Major, Op. 77, No. 1: Finale: Presto
Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Allegro moderato
Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Menuet: Presto
Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Andante
Quartet No. 67 In F Major, Op. 77, No. 2: Finale: Vivace assai

Tracks:

String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Allegro
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Adagio non lento
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Menuetto: Poco allegretto
String Quartet In B Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1: Finale: Vivace
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Vivace
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Adagio: Cantabile
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In C Major, Op. 50, No. 2: Finale: Vivace assai
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Allegro con brio
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Andante piu tosto Allegretto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet In E Flat Major, Op. 50, No. 3: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Allegro spirituoso
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Andante
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Menuetto: Poco allegretto
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 4 In F Sharp Minor: Finale: Fuga: Allegro moderato
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Allegro moderato
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Poco adagio
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 5 In F Major: Finale: Vivace
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Allegro
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Poco adagio
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Menuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet Op. 50 No. 6 In D Major: Finale: Allegro con spirito

Customer Reviews:

Many Hours of Magnificent Listening Pleasure.......2007-02-20

When these quartets were recorded, in the 1990's and early 2000's, the Kodaly Quartet ("KQ") had been playing together for more than a quarter century. It shows. What is evident on these recordings is the perfect cohesion of these highly talented musicians; they clearly have an intimate knowledge of the score of each quartet and thoroughly enjoy playing together. The KQ's performance is fresh, truly conveys their love for this music, and fully brings to life the range of emotions contained in this musical microcosm - playfulness, elegance, sunny joy, and gentle reverie - with every movement of these quartets having a quality of refinement and graciousness that allows the listener to savor every note.

The allegro movements on these CDs have a wonderful rhythmic vitality.
While listening to them, one can imagine elegantly dressed men and women in the 18th century, with the women in long, flowing silk dresses, moving across the dance floor to the sounds of this wonderful music. Although this chamber music was originally composed for small private gatherings, the fast movements have a lively rhythm that evokes the image of dancing couples.

The slow movements are played with a beautiful tenderness that invites the listener to float upwards with closed eyes into a serene musical heaven, floating in the clouds like an albatross with its wings outspread, being lifted by air currents as it slowly glides through an azure sky on a warm summer day.

These digital recordings have an excellent crystal clear sound quality, capturing the KQ's precision and their sensitivity to every nuance of every note. The sound engineering is truly first-rate, giving a feeling of immediacy and physical presence to the instruments. It is only one step away from having the musicians actually performing in front of you, in your own living room.

I am absolutely delighted with this series of the complete Haydn string quartets by the KQ. As it turns out, every CD in the series has been a delight, including the ones with "spurious arrangements" and quartets that may very well not have been composed by Haydn at all, but by Romanus Hoffstetter (1742 - 1815).

Even the early string quartets are more than mere historical footnotes. They are also beautiful music, irrespective of who composed them, Haydn or Hoffstetter. They are delightful and very worthy compositions in their own right. As stated by Allan Badley in the booklet notes to one of the CD's of the earliest quartets: "There is much to admire in the Op. 3 Quartets, whoever the composer may have been. They are elegant, neatly composed works with lively outer movements, gentle, graceful slow movements, and the kind of lilting, intoxicating minuets that are an integral part of Austrian music of the period." The fact that these string quartets are less musically complex than Haydn's later masterpieces, such as the Opus 71, "Apponyi" quartets, does not detract from their beauty.

I would gladly have paid twice as much for this set of CDs and still felt it was an excellent value. The CD booklet notes are well-written, with historical information, musical analysis, and information on the Kodaly Quartet. Very highly recommended.

Shostakovich: String Quartets (Complete), Vol. 4

Average customer rating:

Great music, performaces, and recording
First rate recording - excellent musicianship and sound

Shostakovich: String Quartets (Complete), Vol. 4

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000141J
Release Date: 1996-04-23

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 2 In A Major, Op. 68: Overture: Moderato con moto
String Quartet No. 2 In A Major, Op. 68: Recitativo And Romance: Adagio
String Quartet No. 2 In A Major, Op. 68: Valse: Allegro
String Quartet No. 2 In A Major, Op. 68: Theme With Variations: Adagio-Moderato con moto
String Quartet No. 12 In D Flat Major, Op. 133: Moderato - Allegretto
String Quartet No. 12 In D Flat Major, Op. 133: Allegretto

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Shostakovich's orchestral and instrumental works often blend traditional classical with Baroque musical forms. The second quartet has four movements like a traditional symphony or string quartet, but the forms of those movements are all closely related to the Baroque dance suite: there's an impressive overture, followed by an operatic recitative and romance, a lively waltz, and a final theme and variations. Quartet No. 12, by contrast, is in two large movements, a short opening in moderate tempo, and a huge finale nearly 20 minutes long. It's a much darker piece than the Second Quartet, though both are very well played and recorded as part of this fine survey of all the Shostakovich Quartets. Budget price, too. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Great music, performaces, and recording.......2006-03-07

This is a 5-star CD. Two of the composer's best quartets in beautiful performances with excellent recording quality. The Eder Quartet's Shostakovich series is terrific!

First rate recording - excellent musicianship and sound.......1999-11-16

This recording is the new benchmark. The Eder Quartet can hold its head high against any comer s- especially at this price. Fresh and vital recording.

Mozart: String Quartets (Complete Mozart Edition, Vol. 12)

Average customer rating:

Outstanding and a Remarkable Bargain
Nobilissima visione!
a remarkable set

Mozart: String Quartets (Complete Mozart Edition, Vol. 12)

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quintets
Mozart: Complete String Trios & Duos
Mozart: Serenades for Orchestra
Mozart: The Violin Sonatas
Haydn: Complete Piano Trios

ASIN: B00000410T
Release Date: 1991-04-05

Tracks:

String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.1In G - Adagio
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.1In G - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.1In G - Menuetto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.1In G - Rondeau
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.2 In D - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.2 In D - Andante
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.2 In D - Molto allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.3 In G - Presto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.3 In G - Adagio
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.3 In G - Tempo Di Menuetto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.3 In G - Adagio
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.4 In C - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.4 In C - Andante
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.4 In C - Presto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.5 In F - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.5 In F - Andante Un Poco Allegretto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.5 In F - Tempo Di Menuetto

Tracks:

String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.6 In B Flat - Andante
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.6 In B Flat - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.6 In B Flat - Rondo, Allegro Grazioso
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.7 In E Flat - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.7 In E Flat - Un Poco Adagio
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.7 In E Flat - Presto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.8 In F - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.8 In F - Andante
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.8 In F - Menuetto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.8 In F - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.9 In A - Molto Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.9 In A - Andante
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.9 In A - Menuetto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.9 In A - Rondeaux, Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.10 In C - Andante
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.10 In C - Menuetto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.10 In C - Un Poco Adagio
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.10 In C - Rondeaux, Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.11 In E Flat - Adagio - Allegro Assai - Adagio
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.11 In E Flat - Menuetto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.11 In E Flat - Andante
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.11 In E Flat - Allegro Assai
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.12 In B Flat - Allegro Spiritoso
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.12 In B Flat - Adagio
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.12 In B Flat - Menuetto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.12 In B Flat - Allegro Assai
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.13 In D Minor - Allegro Ma Molto Moderato
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.13 In D Minor - Andantino Grazioso
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.13 In D Minor - Menuetto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.13 In D Minor - Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartets Nos.1-15: The Six Haydn Quartets - Quartet No.14 In G - Allegro Vivace Assai
String Quartets Nos.1-15: The Six Haydn Quartets - Quartet No.14 In G - Allegretto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: The Six Haydn Quartets - Quartet No.14 In G - Andante Cantabile
String Quartets Nos.1-15: The Six Haydn Quartets - Quartet No.14 In G - Molto Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: The Six Haydn Quartets - Quartet No.15 In D Minor - Allegro Moderato
String Quartets Nos.1-15: The Six Haydn Quartets - Quartet No.15 In D Minor - Andante
String Quartets Nos.1-15: The Six Haydn Quartets - Quartet No.15 In D Minor - Menuetto, Allegretto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: The Six Haydn Quartets - Quartet No.15 In D Minor - Allegretto Ma Non Troppo - Piu Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.16 In E Flat - Adagio
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.16 In E Flat - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.16 In E Flat - Minuetto
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.16 In E Flat - Rondeau
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.17 In B Flat - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.17 In B Flat - Andante
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.17 In B Flat - Molto Allegro
String Quartets Nos.1-15: Quartet No.17 In B Flat - Presto

Tracks:

Quartet No.18 In A - Allegro
Quartet No.18 In A - Menuetto
Quartet No.18 In A - Andante
Quartet No.18 In A - Allegro Non Troppo
Quartet No.19 In C - Adagio - Allegro
2: Andante cantabile
Quartet No.19 In C - Allegretto
Quartet No.19 In C - Allegro Molto

Tracks:

String Quartets Nos. 16-23: Quartet No.20 In D - Allegretto
String Quartets Nos. 16-23: Quartet No.20 In D - Menuetto, Allegretto
String Quartets Nos. 16-23: Quartet No.20 In D - Adagio
String Quartets Nos. 16-23: Quartet No.20 In D - Allegro
String Quartets Nos. 16-23: The Three Prussian Quartets - Quartet No.21 In D - Allegretto
String Quartets Nos. 16-23: The Three Prussian Quartets - Quartet No.21 In D - Andante
String Quartets Nos. 16-23: The Three Prussian Quartets - Quartet No.21 In D - Menuetto, Allegro
String Quartets Nos. 16-23: The Three Prussian Quartets - Quartet No.21 In D - Allegretto

Tracks:

String Quartets Nos.16-23: Quartet No.22 In B Flat - Allegro
String Quartets Nos.16-23: Quartet No.22 In B Flat - Larghetto
String Quartets Nos.16-23: Quartet No.22 In B Flat - Menuetto, Moderato
String Quartets Nos.16-23: Quartet No.22 In B Flat - Allegro Assai
String Quartets Nos.16-23: Quartet No.23 In F - Allegro Moderato
String Quartets Nos.16-23: Quartet No.23 In F - Allegretto
String Quartets Nos.16-23: Quartet No.23 In F - Menuetto (Allegretto)
String Quartets Nos.16-23: Quartet No.23 In F - Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding and a Remarkable Bargain.......2005-08-11

Mozart's string quartets need no introduction. This collection is a compilation of recordings made by the famous Quartetto Italiano over a period of several years. The playing is excellent and it is very interesting to hear this range of quartets played by a single ensemble. At less than $14 per disk (Amazon list price plus shipping costs), this is an incredible bargain for so much rewarding music.

Nobilissima visione!.......2005-04-01

Since you listen the first bars of any of these memorable works, you feel the difference that makes the great difference. The approach given by these excellent musicians is unique in what sublime perfection, astonishing musicality and enrapturing commitment concerns. Paolo Borciani, the unforgettable leader of this ensemble sealed his name in the Holly Pantheon of the greatest with these unvaluable, prodigious and lavish recordings.
All the possible adjectives are not enough to describe the status of these performances.
Don't miss these golden recordings under no pretext!

a remarkable set.......2002-11-08

This box set is a fantastic addition to anyone's Mozart collection. Performances are passionate and simply beautiful.
It is fascinating to listen to the quartets chronologically and hear Mozart's development as a composer (even the earliest quartets have many fine moments). While the sound quality of the quartets recorded in 1966 are not as crisp as those recorded in the 70s, every disc has acceptable sound and is a treasure in itself.
Highest of recommendations!

Track Listings:

Track Listings

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