Dear David, I'm so glad you picked this version as your favourite, as it is also mine from the few sets I've listened to. Thank you for the shout out to this marvelous group of players.
Saga's lps of the Fine Arts Quartet cycle were my introduction to these works, very early in my intro to classical music. I played the grooves off them and came to appreciate (just short of love) the works for their skill and ingenuity. Agreed, choice of the available recordings comes down to a matter of personal taste and having been weened on Fine Arts, most other performances sound a bit wimpy to my ears, the Vegh in particular although I like their 4th quartet. Thankfully, the Fine Arts cycle is now on cd and those old crackly Sagas are long gone.
Well, I consider the 2nd quartet on par with nrs 3 and 4. The 2nd movement is a tour-de-force in rhythm and north African folk music sound (Bartók studied African music in Egypt at the time, where he met with Hindemith). Now, the 3rd movement is the most accurate description of gloom and depression I have ever heard.Quartet nr 5 is a bit strange, with some weird noises, especially in the middle and last movement. But the 2nd movement - boy, that's otherworldly!
Looking back to this after the Bartok list last week or so… Bit surprised by some of the resistance on here, not yours. I don’t listen to these every week, but I do find them endlessly fascinating. More important, you can’t “get” things in them without a lot of repeated listening. That fifth quartet, for example, after the strange barrel organ episode, ends with a major scale! But you can’t recognise it as such easily, given the context. Blink and you miss it. Frankly, I wonder if it was a bit of humour on Bartoks part.
@@murraylow4523 Bartók has a lot of ironic, sometimes even sarcastic bits of music, like the "intermezzo interrotto" from the Concerto for Orchestra, the "Burletta" from the 6th string quartet, the 2nd movement from "Two Portraits" or his early piano piece "A Bit Drunk".
I recently pruned my Bartok quartet sets from eight to four, and agree with DH that there really is very little between the good ones, but the point I wanted to make is that one set where I find the playing style interestingly different enough to stick in my mind is the relatively recent one on Hungaroton played by the Mikrokosmos Quartet. Sample the last movement of no. 4, for example, as memorably voiced by Mr H! The accompanying quavers in viola and cello, with the irregular accents, are much less staccato than you usually hear.
I've had the Emerson for years, but simply can't get anywhere with this music. A friend said that they take off where Beethoven's late quartets left off, but I don't hear it. Maybe some day!
I could have written that! I have had the Emerson sitting on my shelf for quite a few years. But as soon as I finish typing this, I'm going to give them a spin. I'll start with the 4th, since I now have a reference point in Dave's vocalizations.
Just listened to the 4th quartet for the 1st time in years. Not as much like hard work as it was back then. I couldn't understand how the hell Bartok got from folk music to THAT! Now I see it
You have a very mild idea of what real Hungarian folk music sounds like. I've heard some of it, including some of the stuff Bartok collected. It makes his quartet sound mild in comparison.
I'm a foe to over rate the serious, the intensely introverted as if lack of fresh air, broodings and agitations make for profundity. As if you have to feel unrest to feel at all. I prefer the balance and breadth of Dvorak, Smetana, Hindemith, though I enjoy Bartoks..
Most of the movements of these 6 quartets are, to me, the ugliest classical music that has clearly found its way into widespread listenership and respect. I don't get it to such an extent that I don't even want to get it.
I am just the opposite. When I was young (teenager -early 20s) I never really got string quartets and was tepid about hearing them. When I discovered the Bartok quartets I was thrilled and fell in love with the form. I have The New Hungarian Quartet recordings and think they are great.
Bartók's 4th String Quartet is absolutely one of the finest pieces of the 20th century. It's my favourite Bartók string quartet.
".. #1 & #2 ...not atonal enough ...." YES , perfectly put.
Dear David, I'm so glad you picked this version as your favourite, as it is also mine from the few sets I've listened to. Thank you for the shout out to this marvelous group of players.
Just heard incredible performance of Bartók quartet No.4 by Kelemen a Quartet yesterday
Saga's lps of the Fine Arts Quartet cycle were my introduction to these works, very early in my intro to classical music. I played the grooves off them and came to appreciate (just short of love) the works for their skill and ingenuity. Agreed, choice of the available recordings comes down to a matter of personal taste and having been weened on Fine Arts, most other performances sound a bit wimpy to my ears, the Vegh in particular although I like their 4th quartet. Thankfully, the Fine Arts cycle is now on cd and those old crackly Sagas are long gone.
My Introduction too
Well, I consider the 2nd quartet on par with nrs 3 and 4. The 2nd movement is a tour-de-force in rhythm and north African folk music sound (Bartók studied African music in Egypt at the time, where he met with Hindemith). Now, the 3rd movement is the most accurate description of gloom and depression I have ever heard.Quartet nr 5 is a bit strange, with some weird noises, especially in the middle and last movement. But the 2nd movement - boy, that's otherworldly!
Looking back to this after the Bartok list last week or so… Bit surprised by some of the resistance on here, not yours. I don’t listen to these every week, but I do find them endlessly fascinating. More important, you can’t “get” things in them without a lot of repeated listening. That fifth quartet, for example, after the strange barrel organ episode, ends with a major scale! But you can’t recognise it as such easily, given the context. Blink and you miss it. Frankly, I wonder if it was a bit of humour on Bartoks part.
@@murraylow4523 Bartók has a lot of ironic, sometimes even sarcastic bits of music, like the "intermezzo interrotto" from the Concerto for Orchestra, the "Burletta" from the 6th string quartet, the 2nd movement from "Two Portraits" or his early piano piece "A Bit Drunk".
Thanks, I know those pieces. @@ippolit23
@@murraylow4523 alright. Good for you!
No worries!
@@ippolit23
I recently pruned my Bartok quartet sets from eight to four, and agree with DH that there really is very little between the good ones, but the point I wanted to make is that one set where I find the playing style interestingly different enough to stick in my mind is the relatively recent one on Hungaroton played by the Mikrokosmos Quartet. Sample the last movement of no. 4, for example, as memorably voiced by Mr H! The accompanying quavers in viola and cello, with the irregular accents, are much less staccato than you usually hear.
I've had the Emerson for years, but simply can't get anywhere with this music. A friend said that they take off where Beethoven's late quartets left off, but I don't hear it. Maybe some day!
I don't hear that either. I think you are right--just wait and see, and if they don't get to you, there's plenty of other music to enjoy.
I could have written that! I have had the Emerson sitting on my shelf for quite a few years. But as soon as I finish typing this, I'm going to give them a spin. I'll start with the 4th, since I now have a reference point in Dave's vocalizations.
Just listened to the 4th quartet for the 1st time in years. Not as much like hard work as it was back then. I couldn't understand how the hell Bartok got from folk music to THAT! Now I see it
You have a very mild idea of what real Hungarian folk music sounds like. I've heard some of it, including some of the stuff Bartok collected. It makes his quartet sound mild in comparison.
Mild is probably the wrong word, limited would be closer@@DavesClassicalGuide
However, the point I was trying to make is, the work does not sound as unapproachable as it did when I was 12 years old @@DavesClassicalGuide
I'm a foe to over rate the serious, the intensely introverted as if lack of fresh air, broodings and agitations make for profundity. As if you have to feel unrest to feel at all. I prefer the balance and breadth of Dvorak, Smetana, Hindemith, though I enjoy Bartoks..
Most of the movements of these 6 quartets are, to me, the ugliest classical music that has clearly found its way into widespread listenership and respect. I don't get it to such an extent that I don't even want to get it.
I completely agree, and I'm going to steal that last sentence. :D
@@ritamdeb2232 Thanks. No charge. And here's to the Bartok that sounds like music.
I am just the opposite. When I was young (teenager -early 20s) I never really got string quartets and was tepid about hearing them. When I discovered the Bartok quartets I was thrilled and fell in love with the form. I have The New Hungarian Quartet recordings and think they are great.