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Beethoven: The Late String Quartets
from: EMI Classics

List Price: $34.98

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Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 5099950965625
Format: Original recording remastered
Label: EMI Classics
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
Number Of Discs: 3
Publisher: EMI Classics
Release Date: March 11, 2008
Studio: EMI Classics
Sales Rank: 12499

Disc 1:

Disc 2:

Disc 3:

Related Items:

Schubert: String Quartets #14 'Death & the Maiden' & #15 - Busch Quartet

The Busch Quartet Play Beethoven, Vol. 1

The Busch Quartet play Beethoven, Vol. 2

Customer Reviews

Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- Avoid This Remastering
I agree with the reviewer who regards this reissue as a sonic disgrace. Indeed it is. I obtained this set thinking the sound would represent an improvement over previous EMI reissues of the Busch Quartet. Unfortunately, what I hear emerging from my speakers is cramped, dull, and lifeless--especially when compared to some other remasterings of these classic recordings. I would strongly recommend that any one who cares for great chamber music performances (which these undoubtedly are) obtain either the Dutton or the Pearl remasterings. Unfortunately, the Dutton label has not yet released all of the Busch Quartet's late Beethoven, but what they have given us to date represents the best transfer so far of this historic material.

Rating:

- Stars based on an earlier EMI issue
If the sound of this issue at least matches that of the earlier 4-disc set
(EMI Classics), it deserves five stars -- and more, when one considers the performances at hand.

I will stay with the 4-disc set that also includes Op18/1, Op59/3, Violoin Sonata NO. 3 (Busch & Serkin), Schubert String Quartet No. 8, and
Medelssohn's Capricio in E minor.

I have the Op.130 coupled with Op.59/1 on a Columbia Masterworks Portrait CD, and the sound quality is a good match to the EMI release, which I think is very good, indeed.

Since we are considering the quality of the recorded sound, I find it superior to that of the Bridge releases of the Budapest String Quartet recordings of the Late Quartets from The Library of Congress concerts from the '40s ... Read More

Rating:

- Outstanding performance and recording
This performance is simply in a class by itself. The Busch Quartet plays with complete selflessness as they are very dedicated to the music and do not exhibit mere 'showmanship' which was common in their day and in ours. One reviewer criticized the sound quality - I have the EMI records from some years ago which was the earlier transfer - I think the sound of the CD is different in the sense that it has a more forward sound-stage and with the mono sound this may make it sound a bit constricted at first, but this passes quickly as you listen -the range is very good, the clarity is excellent, and overall I like listening to these transfers quite a bit more than I did to the records. My recommendation is to get these recordings right away and if you are a fan of the late quartets your ears ... Read More

Rating:

- Excellent Reissue (both performance and sound)
If you enjoy static, hiss and crackle then stick with your Pearl transfers. However, if you always wondered what the Busch Quartet's superior interpretations of Beethoven's late quartets would sound like in transfers that are not torturous to your ears, this is the set for you. This new remastering allows you to hear the music (including all of the upper range) without being subjected to the awful sound inherent with 78's. It's amazing what high quality remasters people like Michael Dutton and Obert-Thorn can produce with today's technology. These by EMI's technicians are not far behind (if not equal to). I must admit that I was a bit leary of having ordered this set when I read what the previous reviewer had to say. Those worries being baseless, I now have to wonder if he/she has even listened ... Read More

Rating:

- Supreme quartet playing in very listenable sound
What's an innocent reader to do? Here we have one reviewer who's outraged by EMI's remastering of the Busch Quartet's legendary Beethoven while I find it eminently listenable. To my ears the upper third of the higher frequencies hasn't disappeared -- the latest technology doesn't surgically amputate the frequency range, to begin with -- and in place of the dry, boxy sound one associates with the Busch recordings, these have a bit of bloom. Pitch has been nicely stabilized as well. I guess you'll have to hear some samples and decide for yourself. I only want to say that as a veteran listener to historical recordings, these offered less ear fatigue and more pleasure than previous issues I've heard.

As for the readings themselves, the Gramophone's comments still ring true: "The Busch recorded ... Read More

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