Customer Reviews

The Haydn Project

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

 

 

The third is a set of individual movements by Mozart, Schubert, Dvorak, Bartok, Ives, Shostakovich, Webern and finally a sizzling performance of the fugue from Beethoven's third Rasumovsky. It's brilliant, so I don't know why they are being so coy about it.

The first thing that I commend strongly about this set of 7 Haydn quartets is the actual selection. They range in order of composition from one of the op 20's to the great op77 #1, and 3 of the 7 are in minor keys. I get a definitely serious feel to the Emersons' approach to all 7. Op 33 #2 'The Joke' is included, and for once the jokiness at the end is downplayed, to my great relief. Another aspect that interested me was the fairly moderate speeds they take in the finales to the first 4 numbers, getting distinctly livelier in the last 3. I find this extremely convincing -- the music in the earlier finales is slighter than in the later ones and to my ears it benefits from not being rushed. What I would have liked to find out from the liner notes is whether that, or something else entirely, was the Emersons' thinking, but the remarks are to a familiar pattern -- useful and informative background information, very little about the performances, and rather gushy 'chatty-learned' stuff on the music.

I would describe this as a really distinguished set. It ought to suit experienced listeners in search of new insights, and for new(er)comers the format has been quite brilliantly devised as an introduction to the string quartet repertory presenting the father of the genre in depth followed by glimpses of what his successors did with the heritage he left them. Recorded quality also excellent.

I have grown old with the Emerson; they recently celebrated their twenty-fifth season with the Stanford University Lively Arts, and I have not missed one of those performances. This year they played four of the quartets from their Haydn Project. The audience was as thrilled as any listener of these CDs will be.

In addition to their extraordinary performance, the Emerson have chosen seven of Haydn's most delightful quartets, bound to rekindle the excitement of knowledgeable music lovers and to entice new listeners. The liner notes provide an introduction not only to Haydn but also to the string quartet as a form. I cannot think of a better introduction: for one who wants to learn but is timid, here is where to begin.

The bonus CD offers movements from other quartets that the Emerson often play as encores. What a joy!

This tribute to Haydn is spectacular. Their playing is impeccable, with fine definition and movement. I especially enjoy their offering of Opus 33, The Joke. It is light and playful and bounces with liltiness.

This is truly refreshing music to listen to. The bonus CD of works by Mozart, Shostakovich, Dvorak, et al is wonderful as well. This finales in Beethoven's op. 59 for String Quartet.
Magnificent!

Thanks Emerson for 25, may 25 more be yours and your fans!

I heard this recording on the classical station that I listen to.
I now have the CD's in my car and my son and I (he's 8) absolutely love this recording. It is so wonderful we feel like we are seeing the quartet in person. Bravo, Bravo. We will be giving this one as gifts for the Holidays.

Especially recommended if you are new to Haydn's Quartets, as there is one quartet taken from various op. 20 - 77. While this is by no means all of these works you will want, it does whet your appetite for when you purchase a more extensive array of quartets. A good place to start would be a very good 7 disc set from the Amadeus Quartet containing Op. 51 - 74. Then you'll want to get Op. 76 and 77 (usually including op.103), of which there are many great recordings, The Takac's and the Tokyo being my favorites for Op.76. You'll also want Op. 20 & 33. A good option here is the Kodaly on Naxos (my preference) or the Quatuor Mosaiques, if you're into period instruments. But in the meantime, enjoy the wonderful playing on this set.

While I would not like to be as severe as J. F. Laurson before me, I do agree with all of the points of his review. I would not call the Haydn Project by the Emerson Group tedious, just bland, lukewarm and, well?, petty-minded? However, for those who do know the music well, listening to the CD is quite interesting.
I do like the Quattuor Mosaiques, I also like the Lindsay's, I can forgive them their "imperfect ensemble" - as one can more technically call their playing - for their attitude to the music. I would like also to mention the Alban Berg Quartet, whose big and muscular Haydn (in op. 76) would not be to everybody's liking, but all the same the energy in the performance does appeal to me.

If I rate this album with just two stars, it is to say something relative to other available recordings and to the (very high) standard to which I hold the Emerson Quartet. In Haydn, where wit, joy, humor and vivaciousness are more important than in any other composer, the Emerson's polish and technical bravado works so incredibly against the works, that I cannot but dissuade a potential explorer of Haydn most urgently from getting this recording.

Upon first hearing everything will sound fine enough... the groups' technique is expectedly excellent, the sound is fine, the music great. But the interpretations will reveal themselves (immediately in comparison - or else over time) as tedious, meticulous and missing the point. The Lindsay's give these quartets all the gusto they need... sadly, they are seldomly in tune. With the Quatour Mosaiques you might get the finest accounts available (historical instruments or not), and the Kodaly Quartet on Naxos is a budget option that deserves your ears and trust.

If a listener wants to experience the Emerson String Quartet at their best, meanwhile, late Beethoven, Webern, and even Shostakovich offer far better opportunities than Haydn (or Schubert).