String Quartets (Complete) [Box set]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Cleveland Quartet (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Cleveland Quartet
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (November 18, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 8
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B000003D2W
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,859 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Radiant Musical Gem, April 23, 2006

By 

Classicalfan "Classicalfan" (Reston, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: String Quartets (Complete) (Audio CD)

Among recordings of Beethoven's string quartets there is an abundance of choice. Many of finest string quartet groups have recorded the full cycle. Having heard these quartets performed by the Alban Berg Quartet ("ABQ"), the Juilliard Quartet ("JQ"), the Kodaly Quartet ("KQ"), and the Cleveland Quartet ("CQ"), I find each of these groups outstanding in its own way.

As Alan Lekan states in his 01/14/2005 review of the complete Beethoven cycle by the Quartetto Italiano, "competition is fierce and it really comes down to what stylistic nuances most appeal to you."

In terms of my own preferences, if the ABQ, JQ, and KQ all deserve five stars out of five for their performances, then the Cleveland Quartet deserves a sixth star. All four groups play together seamlessly and capture the energy and passion of Beethoven, but the Cleveland Quartet also has an extra touch of lyrical magic and smooth refinement coupled with passionate energy in the quality of their performance.

The musicians perform with an elegance as smooth as silk, while also capturing the liveliness of the quartets' allegro, scherzo, and presto movements, where there is a wonderful interaction between the violins and viola, playing the melody and the cello, providing a strong rhythm and anchoring the melody while at times playing in opposition to it and at other times in accompaniment; all the instruments are distinct and play both with and against each other in a perfect blend of harmony and, in the more rapid passages, a flawless tension that beautifully conveys the passion in the music.

In the adagio and andante movements, all of the wonderful passion in the ebb and flow of these movements are present together with exquisite tenderness and lyricism, all conveyed with the CQ's love for these quartets, as well as their technical brilliance, that makes listening to this music an absolute joy.

The sound quality of these digital recordings made in the mid 1990's is superbly rich, clear, and full, and evokes the impression of highly polished wood, like the wood of the superb instruments played by these incredibly talented musicians: William Preucil plays a Stradivarious violin from 1701; Peter Salaff, a J.B. Guadegnini violin from 1783; James Dunham, a Gaspar da Salo viola from 1585; and Paul Katz, an Andrea Guarneri cello from 1669.

The quality of the sound engineering is excellent, as with the vast majority of Telarc CDs. Everyone involved in making this outstanding recording, from the musicians to the sound engineers, has every reason to be proud of this accomplishment. Out of several hundred classical music CD's, I would select the Cleveland Quartet's recordings of all of the Beethoven Quartets, as amongst my very best, "desert island" CDs. This collection has my highest recommendation.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Among the finest modern performances, January 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: String Quartets (Complete) (Audio CD)

These are new performances from the Cleveland Quartet - they recorded a cycle in the 1970's for RCA, though some of the players had changed. Their playing is immaculate, but they also bring real warmth and humanity to the music. I also own the Vegh Quartet's version on Valois, but was very disappointed by the production (sound quality is very flawed, and in some of the quartets, the movements are not even on separate tracks!). The Cleveland is among the finest versions currently available. The recorded sound of the Telarc discs is also peerless. Sadly, the Cleveland has since disbanded, and these were among their last recordings. But what a way to go out!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, January 16, 2008

By 

Scott E. Peterman (Oneida, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: String Quartets (Complete) (Audio CD)

While not my absolute favorite recordings of the Beethoven string quartets, I highly recommend this set. The Cleveland has never performed better. Exquisitely recorded and masterfully executed, this set is well worth acquiring.

The Penguin Guide hasn't been kind to these performances, calling some "not very likeable," and "over-rehearsed." At times it seems to be somewhat biased against non-European groups. When it comes to this set of recordings, the Penguin Guide can be safely ignored.