Customer Reviews

Dvorák, Tchaikovsky, Borodin: Quartets

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

These three quartets are probably the most popular, and most appealing, quartets written by non-Germanic composers. The slow movements of the Tchaikovsky and Borodin quartets are exceptionally beautiful and so popular that they are often played as separate pieces in a variety of arrangements. The Emerson Quartet does full justice to them in their original settings. They also give a fine performance of Dvorak's "American" Quartet which is his most popular piece of chamber music. To have outstanding performances of all three of these justly-popular quartets available on one mid-priced CD makes this a rare treat, and a bargain as well.

The Dvorak "American" is rendered exquisitely. The Emerson String Quartet makes love to the piece. There is no other way to describe the mix of tenderness and passion with which it is delivered. The Tchaikovsky and the Borodin are also rendered beautifully, but the Dvorak is splendid. The Emerson really knows how to "do" Slavic romanticism. This is one of the best music purchases I've made.

Why someone would not just immediately buy this disc at it's lower reissue price would be a mystery to me. The playing is beautiful, even flawless. The music is wonderful. The recording is outstanding. The price is criminally low.

Most people viewing this item probably haven't heard of Borodin before, and I must assure such people that the Borodin quartet on this recording is more than worth listening to! The star of these three compositions is, of course, the American quartet, which is legendary. Though I haven't listened to any other performers playing the quartet, the Emerson Quartet's sound is exquisite, with each detail executed to perfection. You can't expect much else - the Emerson Quartet is always great.

I usually don't like Tchaikovsky, but the quartet on this recording is wonderfully melodic. And together, these three quartets on one CD make for one great purchase.

Great sound, great performance, great music - at a great price. What else could you ask for?

The two popular string quartets from Dvorak and Borodin are among the easiest to listen to in the genre, romanticism for every ear. Because of the hummable tunes in the Borodin 2nd (lifted wholesale to become part of the Broadway musical, Kismet) and the folksy vigor of Dvorak's "American" Quartet #12, most performers emphasize their lushness. Not the Emersons, whose readings are clean and streamlined. They don't dig deep into the wood the way the Alban Berg Qt. does. Their is the patented Emerson virtuosity at work, however, with impeccable intonation and matched timbres.

For me, the effect is refreshing, particularly in the Borodin, which gets a performance that never threatens to become gooey. The Dvorak is a mite too efficient and far removed from its folk inspiration, yet it is impressive technically. Its buoyancy creates a great deal of enjoyment. I've never been able to warm up to Tchaikovsky's quartet writing, but here again the Emersons go for clean lines over Russian luxuriousness.

In all, a very appealing CD that groups three favorites in vintage Emerson Qt. performances. Very good sound, too.

Though I'd heard of Borodin before, I hadn't realized what a wonderful composer he truly was. The second movement of his second quartet is revelatory, and this recording of it (compared to others I've heard since) is definitive for its clarity, tenderness, and directness of expression.

This was the first disc of string quartets I ever bought, and what a disc! I think it goes a long way in explaining my subsequent obsession with the quartet repertoire. While I liked Tchaikovsky's the most at first, the Borodin especially has grown on me with time. Dvorak is of course the most renowned quartet writer of the three, and his craftsmanship is evident in the very likeable 12th quartet (but you have to hear the 13th to fully comprehend Dvorak's brilliance). All are very accessible works, providing immediate listening pleasure.

Some people complain that the Emerson String Quartet (ESQ) is cold and mechanical, but this musicmaking is proof of otherwise. These quartets are warm, lyrical romantic masterpieces and the ESQ give them their due, with an extroverted enthusiasm in the fast movements and heartfelt sensitivity in the slow movements. They are recorded in what might be the best digital sound I have heard from the mid 1980s - warm, close but not claustrophobic, clear, well balanced and giving equal presence to all four instruments. I actually prefer the sound of this album to that of the Emerson's more recent efforts like their Mendelssohn and Brahms recordings.

Recommended without hesitation, especially given the price.

I've been listening to this CD for about two years, mostly when I'm cooking, or driving, and lately on my ipod when I run. It's very uplifting music. These quartets are so well known that everyone probably has heard them all before, but they are so good together on one CD. I love the way the Emerson String Quartet plays all three of them. They bring a lot of energy and expression to them and they release all the powerful emotions locked in this music. I would give their cellist more than 5 stars if I could. I think most people would just love this CD.

I purchased this set as a way of getting additional versions of favourite quartets and because since buying the Emerson's Bartok set I have held them in high regard. These are indeed fine performances that seem to me to reflect the contemporary concert practice of their day: that is to say what I describe as an effusive, engaging bravura. It fascinates me at times the way each generation of performers seeks to connect with their audience; something that becomes apparent when listening to historical recordings. My benchmark for the Tchaikovsky is the Amedaus Quartet - a lovely almost diaphanous aura - shimmering with seemingly effortless polish. The Emersons give a well judged, lively and unexaggerated rendering, which by comparison is more straight forward. In the Boridin my bechmark is Quartetto Italiano. I happen to have them on less than perfect vinyl and still I am transfixed by the magical stillness with which the notturno concludes and breathless beauty of all that preceeds the conclusion of that wonderful movement. To me this is a classic recording. The sound of Philip Setzer's first violin in the Emerson's version of the notturno is unsettling to my ears; almost shrill. Magnificent work on the cello by David Finckel is by contrast quite glorious. If anything, the music is just pushed a little firmly here; it doesn't float enough. However, the Emerson's way with the andante-vivace finale is terrific, bringing a rhythmic pulse that ensures that this is not anticlimatic after the notturno. The sound quality of the recording is first rate. Anybody who buys this set will have no reason to be disappointed, but as with many contemporary recordings, there may be better ones in the archive.

These are all popular quartets that belong in the standard repertory, and all feature some beautiful melodies that stick in your mind. Emerson is technically excellent as usual, and the sound quality is great.

A steal at < $10!