Post by Fugue June 26, 2010 (1 of 19)
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How does the other Tokyo Quartet release compare with the Prazak Quartet in terms of sound and performance? Which is more dramatic?
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Yes, inquiring minds want to know! Actually, I have been awaiting this release for some time, and I am about to pounce on either this or the Prazak.
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Post by diw June 26, 2010 (3 of 19)
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If you want ALL the late quartets in MCH, you would need to go with this set.
By the way, looks like this won't be released until fall.
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Post by Fugue June 26, 2010 (4 of 19)
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diw said:
If you want ALL the late quartets in MCH, you would need to go with this set.
By the way, looks like this won't be released until fall.
Indeed, I was very shocked to discover that many of the Prazak recordings are 2-channel.
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Fugue said:
Indeed, I was very shocked to discover that many of the Prazak recordings are 2-channel.
As the Tokyo set will be also. The Op. 18, 1-6 are on stereo RBCD only. I think I will paas on those.
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Post by diw June 27, 2010 (6 of 19)
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Previous releases in this series have not been well reviewed. So far, that's been stopping from going for the middle quartets.
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diw said:
Previous releases in this series have not been well reviewed. So far, that's been stopping from going for the middle quartets.
The past two evenings I listened to Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 59 No's 1-3 "Razumovsky" - Tokyo String Quartet. Playing on a splendid set of Strads once owned by Paganini, the Tokyo String Quartet produce a ravishing sound, captured in full glory by this recording, high on the list of the most natural recorded string sound I've heard; warm, lush, without a trace of stridency, the four instruments beautifully balanced across the sound stage.
While Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 18 No. 6, Op. 59 No. 1 - Quartetto Italiano and Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 59 Nos. 2 & 3 - Quartetto Italiano retain a special place these are fine performances; dramatic, nuanced and, poetic, by turns – a welcome addition to my collection. Beethoven: String Quartets Opp. 74 & 95 - Tokyo String Quartet is in the same class. The last word? There is no last word in these quartets. This is Beethoven, whose music, none more than his string quartets, are open to many different, yet persuasive, interpretations. These take their place among them.
To say I’m looking forward to Beethoven: String Quartets Opp. 127, 130, 131, 132, 133 & 135 "Late Quartets" - Tokyo String Quartet in October, which includes the final, stunning, musical thoughts of a brooding, dying genius, is an understatement.
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Cherubino said:
The past two evenings I listened to Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 59 No's 1-3 "Razumovsky" - Tokyo String Quartet. Playing on a splendid set of Strads once owned by Paganini, the Tokyo String Quartet produce a ravishing sound, captured in full glory by this recording, high on the list of the most natural recorded string sound I've heard; warm, lush, without a trace of stridency, the four instruments beautifully balanced across the sound stage.
While Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 18 No. 6, Op. 59 No. 1 - Quartetto Italiano and Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 59 Nos. 2 & 3 - Quartetto Italiano retain a special place these are fine performances; dramatic, nuanced and, poetic, by turns – a welcome addition to my collection. Beethoven: String Quartets Opp. 74 & 95 - Tokyo String Quartet is in the same class. The last word? There is no last word in these quartets. This is Beethoven, whose music, none more than his string quartets, are open to many different, yet persuasive, interpretations. These take their place among them.
To say I’m looking forward to Beethoven: String Quartets Opp. 127, 130, 131, 132, 133 & 135 "Late Quartets" - Tokyo String Quartet in October, which includes the final, stunning, musical thoughts of a brooding, dying genius, is an understatement.
I agree completely. The performances are nothing to sneeze at and are quite worthy and polished, if not ones for the ages. The sound is really quite good. I do not understand why there would be negative reviews. I much prefer these performances and sonics to the Fry St. Quartet in some other Beethoven opuses, which have gotten inflated reviews, IMHO.
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Post by Beagle June 29, 2010 (9 of 19)
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diw said: Previous releases in this series have not been well reviewed...
True, my Review of Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 59 No's 1-3 "Razumovsky" - Tokyo String Quartet expresses great disappointment with an eagerly awaited disc from a famous quartet -- but I don't recall giving its sonics a SINGLE STAR. (If zeus is lurking, I believe this is an error, especially since there is no star-rating for performance here*). However, my Review of Beethoven: String Quartets Opp. 74 & 95 - Tokyo String Quartet is very enthusiastic, since I felt that the performances there quite redeemed the reputation of the TQ. Again, I eagerly await their latest, the Late Quartets.
Was I too unkind to Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 59 No's 1-3 "Razumovsky" - Tokyo String Quartet? I have asked myself this before, and discussed it with other forum members here: /showthread.php?page=3. I just spent the last two evenings re-listening to this 2 disc set. Opp. 59 nos. 1 and 2 are certainly listenable, but blurred by warm acoustics and/or recording. Op. 59 no. 3 is a very special quartet for me**, and so I have expectations. This evening -- once again -- the TQ's molasses-like phrasing of this quartet irritated me immensely, and I think I dozed off a bit during the final movement.
Right now I am again listening to Kuijken Two Generations, and being amazed by the clarity and articulation of the Kuijkens. Now THAT'S super-audio! (and multi-channel...).
I admit to a vague fondness for complete sets myself, and so own several. However, my appreciation of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven etc has been enriched by patching together cycles with various but carefully chosen ensembles.
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* I would like to see that Review listing performance with 3.5 stars, sound with 3 stars.
** Op. 59/3 traverses some of the same musical ground as Mozart's Dissonance Quartet.
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Post by Fugue August 15, 2010 (10 of 19)
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This appears to be the only SACD in Harmonia Mundi's new release lineup--I wonder why? Did the Tokyo Quartet insist on it? I hope it sounds as good as the Op.74/95 release. I haven't heard the Op.59 set.
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