Customer Reviews

Weller Quartet: Decca Recordings, 1964-1970 [Box Set]

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It was through the Weller Quartet that I came to love the Brahms Op. 51 quartets during music school years ago. Theirs are very warm and loving performances in a style of playing that one finds less of now. The quartet's history tells you much of what to expect--all of the players were from the Vienna Philharmonic, and were the sons of professional musicians. Their sense of ensemble is first rate, and their sound is warm, even lush at times, though with reserve.

Walter Weller's comments say much about their interpretive stance: "nothing should be exaggerated--too much of any dynamic does not make any musical sense"..."always floating, never hard or sharp." Indeed, to me, their Brahms was like a warm bath...not to say that it was lacking in passion, but there was nothing fierce or overly aggressive about it.

Listening to the other performances in this box (some of which I'd heard, some not) provided a similar pleasure. The Wellers' approach harkens back to the traditions from which it came; very solid music making, impeccable ensemble, warm sound, and, while not lacking in energy or excitement, overall somewhat conservative.

This is not to say I don't enjoy some of the great quartets of our day: The Emersons, Leipzig, Takacs. In fact, it is probably fair to say that the latter 2 in particular descend, to some extent, from the Weller-type tradition.

But I would urge those seriously interested in chamber music to invest in this box, for the pleasure of hearing a somewhat different approach, and, definitely, for the pleasure of a number of hours of fine music making. The recorded sound is first rate for Decca in the 60's.

The Weller Quartet didn't stick together for long. Walter Weller went on to pursue a conducting career; a pity because his first violin has one of the most ravishing tones I've ever heard. In contrast, I've yet to hear a recording of his conducting that is above boring middle-of-the-road quality.
The wonderful sounds on these albums are in part attributable to the intonation. I don't know how they did it, but the silvery sheen on the higher instruments, and the creamy mellow baritone of the cellist blend together with rare perfection. It comes through even on these fairly old recordings. I can only say: what a pity they didn't go on to record all of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert etc.
The highlights of this are many. But I'm inclined to lift out the "Prussian Quartets" of Mozart as one of the most truly magical recordings in the entire repertoire. The delicacy, sensitivity, elegance, beauty and perfect sculpting of every phrase are a marvel. For my money, one of the peaks of chamber music playing.
Schubert's Quintet is not far behind - one of the most moving accounts ever committed to disc, at least in the first two movements.
The Brahms quartets are also exceptionally well played.
There is a stack of Haydn quartets (all of op. 33), and each convincingly, even adventurously discharged. Beethoven is restricted to the 3 middle quartets 10, 11 and 12. Wonderful readings, plenty of energy, sensitive approach to the slow movements, especially in No. 12. The rest of the album does not lack quality so much as interest. Vanhal and Dittersdorf are a bit of a waste of time, even though the Wellers play them as if they were works of art! Berg's op. 3 has always struck me as a pretentious apprentice exercise, not a patch on the Lyric Suite. As for Shostakovitch No. 10, I wonder why they chose this quartet as their only recording of this composer. Be that as it may, if you like the music, you are well served.
The recording quality varies a bit, as do the acoustics. But over all satisfactory and true to the string sounds of this ensemble.
At motley collection overall. Not much by way of planning. But what there is deserves the highest commendation.