Customer Reviews

Haydn: The Seven Last Words

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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Recording after recording by the Emersons of the mainstream quartet repertoire has disappointed at the last hurdle, when, despite magnificent playing, intense attention to detail and composer's markings etc.. they just did not seem to have that certain "voice" that made Vegh's Beethoven, Beethoven;, or the Borodin's Shostakovich, Shostakovich. Even in the highly lauded Bartok, the old Tokyo and Julliard sets just seemed to have the feel of the music musch better... But hold on - what's this - Bach - the recent Art of the Fugue recording - and Haydn - and the Emersons ???
I must say that the very two pieces that I had to date had found very difficult to absorb and enjoy consistently, now are the most played chamber discs, and all credit to the Emersons for taking on such major projects and brining them off famously. the Hadyn in particular, is very intense, yet no doubt about it - this is gray old papa Haydn in his most personal voice....
Well done gents .... keep surprising us ..... now if they wer to take on some Henze, Hartmann, Ligeti .......

I never thought much of Haydn as a composer beyond the generic praise any music lover is bound to give him, but hearing fragments of this work here at Amazon compelled me to buy this recording.
By now, I have a new-found respect for Haydn and this recording has become one of my most cherished. The grandeur and intensity permeating this work from start to finish is startling. My favourite piece, Nr. 5, has all the power of a De Lassus penitential psalm or a highlight from Bach's cantatas or the St. Matthew - yes, unequivocally.

This is a beautiful work, beautifully done by a quartet firmly in control of their instruments, and completely coordinated. The music is heartfelt and the ending is simple but powerful. By coincidence it was playing (and is, as I write) when I opened the email requesting a review. Except for an old vynal (spelin isn't my stong point: 33 1/3 rpm lp) of this work (I forget who performed it - I do remember the record was red, not black), I am not familiar with other quartets who have performed it, but cannot believe any does it better. If so, let me know, and I will certainly give them a listen. You do not have to be religious to appreciate this music - it can be heard as an abstract work for a string quartet.

There are orchestral and vocal versions available as well - I have them also, but the original version as a string quartet is easily the most satisfying.

The CD was in perfect condition and arrived very quickly. I was very happy with this purchase.