Beethoven: The Late String Quartets

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	Artist(s):	Ludwig van Beethoven Takacs Quartet
	Music by:	Decca
	Sales Rank:	6762
	Average Customers Rating:

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Product Details/Specifications

Recording label: Decca
EAN: 0028947084921
Binding: Audio CD
Release Date: 2005-01-11
Universal product code (UPC): 028947084921
Number of discs: 3

Amazon.com
Some Quartets, like the Busch, Italiano, and Talich, have come close to the inner core of these supreme masterpieces. The Takács Quartet now joins those select few. From the opening chords of the Op. 127--firmly stated, perfectly blended, just gruff enough while still sounding beautiful--you know you're in safe hands during this journey into the deepest, most timeless works in the repertory. Slow movements are always a major test here, and if the Takács doesn't surpass some of the above-mentioned groups, they are superior to their present-day peers in conveying Beethoven's deepest thinking while also attending to surface beauties. The Takács surpass the Emersons and Alban Berg Quartet(admirable as those performances are)in their interpretive insights and ensemble sound. But these masterpieces are so rich and dense that admirers need more than one version. The Takács are masters of Beethoven's quick-changing contrasts, making them sound logical, even inevitable. While their playing is full of drive and forward motion, it’s never excessively energetic or overly lean. Of course, the Grosse Fugue is included, along with Beethoven's substitute finale Opus 130 and the Opus 95 Quartet, making for three well-filled discs recorded in excellent sound. --Dan Davis

Extraordinary music
Review Date: 2010-01-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

I was a bit afraid when I ordered these CDs, but the simple act of listening to the very first CD has converted me.

Beethoven was one of our best musicians, and this is the very best of his work.

What could you possibly be waiting for? :-)

Reviews

Not what I was expecting
Review Date: 2009-12-09 Rating: 4 out of 10

For a long time now I've allotted some space for Fur Elise on my small mp3 player, being a great admirer of that masterpiece. Supreme in every way, it does not bother me as it used to that there are no guitar or drums to go along with the beautiful piano sounds. It was with this attitude that I came to think further exploration of Beethoven's output was necessary. On the advice of a friend I purchased this set, fine in every way structurally, artistically, etc. The cover artwork evokes in my soul profound grandeur, implying as it does heights not attainable to mere men. Behold Beethoven, writer of Fur Elise!

Before I go further I should say that this is one man's opinion. I am hard of hearing, as Beethoven was, but on a good day my hearing aid is of some use. Such days I reserve for Fur Elise, until at least the arrival of this CD set.

The recording was quite bad from what I could tell as the sounds were not piano-like in the least. Gone were the soft beautiful tones of that instrument, replaced by harsh furious crunching noises. It's as if the pianist used a handheld tape recorder in a public restroom.

No, I'm sorry, I could not enjoy this at all. It will be some time before I venture again beyond Fur Elise.

Extraordinary Indeed!
Review Date: 2009-12-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

I can't top Mr J Scott Morrison's review. This is among the handful of greatest recordings of the late quartets.

Mr Daniel Adams should have checked the documentation on this recording before criticizing the use of E in place of G in bar 246. This is a correction made in the Henle edition that was released after this recording, but which the editors kindly shared with the Takacs Quartet.

Fantastic but with a regrettable blemish
Review Date: 2008-05-27 Rating: 8 out of 10

I have nothing but agreement with those who remark about the fabulous mix of technique and artistry in these performances. The ensemble plays together organically, with great fire, tenderness, and mischief where they are required.

However, be warned that there is one major problem keeping this from being my favorite among modern recordings: in the A minor Quartet Op. 132, 1st movement, at a critical point the 1st violin plays the wrong note. This is in bar 246, beat two, where 1st is supposed to play a high G natural; instead he stays on E. It may sound like an odd complaint, but this note comes at the climax of the 1st mvt coda and probably is the linchpin of the whole piece. For the life of me, I can't figure out why they didn't rerecord the movement after that error.

One of the most beautiful sets of Beethoven's Late Quartets
Review Date: 2007-11-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is truly one of the most amazing classical recordings ever made. A beautiful contribution to the most profound, imaginative and creative music ever written. Thank you Takacs.

Disc 1 Tracks:
1. Maestoso - Allegro
2. Adagio ma non troppo e molto cantabile
3. Scherzando vivace
4. Finale
5. Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo
6. Allegro molto vivace
7. Allegro moderato
8. Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile - Più mosso - Andante moderato e lusinghiero - Adagio - Allegretto - Adagio, ma non troppo e semplice - Allegretto
9. Presto
10. Adagio quasi un poco andante
11. Allegro

Disc 2 Tracks:
1. Assai sostenuto - Allegro
2. Allegro ma non tanto
3. Heiliger Dankgesang e.Genesenden an die Gottheit, in der lydischen Tonart.Molto adagio -. Andante - Molto adagio - Andante - Molto adagio.
4. Alla marcia, assai vivace - Più allegro - Presto
5. Allegro appassionato
6. Allegretto
7. Vivace
8. Lento assai, cantante e tranquillo
9. Der schwer gefaßte Entschluß (Grave - Allegro - Grave ma non troppo tratto - Allegro)

Disc 3 Tracks:
1. Allegro con brio
2. Allegretto ma non troppo
3. Allegro assai vivace ma serioso
4. Larghetto espressivo - Allegretto agitato
5. Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro
6. Presto
7. Andante con moto ma non troppo. Poco scherzando
8. Alla danza tedesca (Allegro assai)
9. Cavatina ( Adagio molto espressivo)
10. Overtura (Allegro) - Meno mosso e moderato - Allegro - Fuga
11. Finale (Allegro)

Publishers: Decca