Customer Reviews

Schubert: String Quartets Nos. 13 & 14

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

 

 

This is the absolute best recording of these two quartets to date. The Takacs Quartet has impressed many with their previous recordings, and this will impress them even more with this new release. Their new partnership with Hyperion is off to a great start. The acoustics of the hall are perfect, not too dry - not too much eco. The balance of the recording is superb with each instrument being presented equally. The interpretation of the D 810 "death and the maiden" is jam packed full of excitement. They play with unbelievable drive and intensity while making sure never to over-do anything. The D 804 "Rosamunde" quartet is the definition of beauty. Every phrase is treated with care and never, never is a line forgotten. If your looking for a recording that is satisfying in all ways, unlike the Emerson Quartets recording (which I find to be extremely technically perfect but nothing else), this is a must buy recording. Even if you own the great Busch Quartet recordings of these works you should invest in these unmatched performances.

These are two of the most recorded String Quartets - so who needs another set?

The new line up of the Takacs Quartet proves that we all do! Their ensemble is impeccable and makes me, for one, to listen to these works anew.

The speed for the first movement of the "Maiden" may be a little fast for some ears - but they bring it off. As for the slow movement - I have never heard it better played.

The "Rosamunde" is equally well done and this is a `must have' CD for all lovers of Schubert

It was one of the top recommendations of "The Gramophone" magazine - and no wonder!

If you love Schubert - I urge you to buy this CD - you will not be disappointed!

Franz Schubert wrote his 13th and 14th quartets in 1824 having not written anything in the form for several years. These were important compositions for Schubert and he dedicated them to Ignaz Schuppanzigh who was the leader of a string quartet whose opinion of the 14th quartet was unfortunately not favorable). As the notes for the CD point out, Schubert was in a melancholy mood having discovered that he has syphilis and also from the belief that his youth was gone never to be recovered. I knew of the Takacs Quartet through reputation only until the advent of this CD. From the opening bars it is evident that this recording of Schubert's most popular string quartets is special; tempos are well judged and the phrasing is beautiful. The Takacs bring out the symphonic elements of the music with precision.

The 13th quartet bears the name Rosamunde as Schubert included one of the melodies he had written for the play. In contrast to Schubert's other quartets, all of the movements of the 13th begin pianissimo. The Andante quotes the well-know them from the Rosemunde incidental music at first played as a pleasant minuet but then restated with more agitation. The Menuetto is sadly sweet and the Finale has a Hungarian twist.

The 14th goes by the name Death and the Maiden for a melody Schubert uses in the second movement borrowed from a song. The subject of the quartet is concerned with the loss of youth and indeed the tone of the Andante is one of melancholy. The opening movement is a contrast of tension and relaxation as the melodies alternate between a state of agitation and calm. The Scherzo is dance-like with a trio that is quiet and graceful and the tarantella Finale is wildly exuberant.

Even if you already have these quartets on CD you will want to hear the new Takacs Quartet recordings. The recording is beautifully done and the booklet notes by Mischa Donat are very informative.

I purchased this CD when it just came out to the market several years ago, after I saw only some positive comments from a couple of customer reviewers. I was anxious to experience some excitement from listening to it. But after I tried, it turned out to be a disappointment to my taste. Don't get me wrong when I say this, you might like its style if you haven't tried it yet. It just does not work for me. I love music of Schubert, and have loved the Death and Maiden string quartet for 25 years. I collected about 20 different CD versions of this music, among which, my favorite modern versions have been those by Tokyo String Quartet on MMG Vox label (not the RCA one), Petersen Quartet on Capriccio, and Jerusalem Quartet on Harmonia Mundi, just name a few. The problem I have with this Takacs Quartet version has been that in the 2nd movement of the Quartet No.14, their tempo goes very fast but without convincing ideas in their choosing speed. It just goes fast straight ahead lacking the meaning and needs for that kind of tempo. A good comparison is Petersen Quartet on Capriccio, whose same movement takes 11'50, comparing that of Takacs Quartet here being 12'23. Even though Takacs Quartet (2nd mv of Qt 14) is a little longer than Petersen Quartet, listening to Petersen Quartet does not let you feel that they are quicker than Takacs, because you can get convincing ideas from listening to Petersen Quartet version and do not feel that they are too fast. The 2nd movement is the core of the quartet 14. There have been different speeds chosen for this movement by different groups, ranging from less than 12 minutes to more than 14 minutes. I have learned to appreciate different tempos for this movement by different groups. I think the important thing is not speed itself, it is whether there are reasons, and whether the reasons are convincing, of course, to serve for one's taste.

Terrific performance, and great sound. The recording is warmer and more "wraparound" than my other version, the Italian Quartet (great too). A couple of weird sounds here and there (a shout?).