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1.Bach Fugues by: Emerson String Quartet, Bach March 25, 2008
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To understand and appreciate Bach means to be fascinated by the art form of the fugue, Bach's most important tool in giving us the wonderful compositions we know from him. A fugue is both a mathematical equation and an exploration into the unknown. Thus, it is never boring, least of all in the way in which Back used it. The fugues performed by the Emerson String Quartet were originally written for the harpsichord, under the name Das Wohltemperierte Clavier (The Well-tuned Piano). Although some purists frown at such re-arranging, as they did when Glenn Gould played Bach on a Steinway instead of on a harpsichord, it can be defended by pointing out that Bach himself re-used many of his compositions in other works and for other instruments. But probably the best defense is the utter beauty ... Read More

2.Debussy, Ravel: Streichquartette from: Deutsche Grammophon September 19, 1995
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i have less to say about the emerson string quartet's performance in comparison to others, but rather i'm writing to say that these two string quartets are some of the most amazing, sublime pieces of music i've ever heard. any classical music aficionado, esp. of the music of the 19th and 20th centuries, would love them, and i highly recommend them. i discovered them first through a friend, and then bought the album when, having started out on a long car drive i realized i had no CDs to accompany me. i was practically crying driving down the highway, the first movement of the debussy is so moving! (oops. i didn't mean to pun.) it is definitely cathartic music, as an earlier reviewer said. and virtuosic, brilliant, refined, elegant, emotional and intellectual at the same time, full of wit and shimmering ... Read More

3.Dvorák, Tchaikovsky, Borodin: Quartets by: Antonin Dvorak, Alexander Borodin, Eugene Drucker, Lawrence Dutton, David Finckel, Philip Setzer October 17, 1995
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The string quartets of Dvorak and Borodin are among the lushest and easy-to-listen music in the genre, romanticism for every ear. Because of the hummable tunes in the Borodin 2nd (lifted wholesale to become part of the Broadway musical, Kismet) and the folsy vigor of Dvorak's "American" Quartet #12, most performers emphasize this lushness. Not the Emersons, whose readings here are clean and streamlined. They don't dig deep into the wood the way the Alban berg Qt. do. Their is the patented Emerson virtuosity at work, though, with impeccable intonation and matched timbres. For me, the effect was refreshing, particularly in the Borodin, which hwere gets a performance that never threatens to become gooey. The Dvorak is a mite too efficient and far removed form its folk inspiration, yet still impressive ... Read More

4.Antonin Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81; Piano Quartet in E Flat Major, Op. 87 from: Deutsche Grammophon May 10, 1994
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These are deservedly popular works - perhaps too popular; I think the first movement of the A Major quintet was appropriated by some unmemorable Hollywood production. Younger listeners will be spared the unbidden mental associations attending the second (Dumka) movement which was plagiarised into a saccharine pop-song in the 'sixties. Regardless of this nonsense, these are wonderful works stuffed full with all those very idiomatic Czech influences which characterised so much of Dvorak's writing when he was at his most musically confident. Ebullient and hummably tuneful, as previously has been suggested these works can be an excellent introduction to the world of chamber music, so often and erroneously regarded as being recondite and difficult to penetrate. If nothing else, this quintet and quartet put the lie ... Read More

5.Schumann: Op. Nos. 44 & 47 from: Deutsche Grammophon January 23, 1996
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A cracking recording of a cracking performance! The Menahem Pressler we have known and loved for so many years is on his usual form here. The Emersons, whose performances are not always as consistent as their reputation sometimes would have it, really are on song for this CD so it is a wonderful offering. Both the Quintet and the Quartet represent Schumann at his best and most accomplished - they are extremely satisfying works. This is a great CD -a "must have".

6.Intimate Voices from: Deutsche Grammophon April 11, 2006
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Edvard Grieg completed just one string quartet in 1878 leaving one other unfinished and one lost at his death. He is quoted to have aimed at "breadth, flight of imagination and, above all sonority," and the quartet is proof of his success. The quartet has an exuberant start and reminded me more of Dvorak than Grieg. The second movement is a Romanze that begins with a bucolic melody and develops into a dance-like tempo. The third movement is an Intermezzo and picks up the light and playful feel from the prior movement. The Finale is exuberant with agitated passages. The quartet is a tuneful work with some outstanding writing for the instruments. The Andante lamentoso by Carl Nielsen was originally written for string quartet and double bass or string orchestra. However, as the double bass is used to reinforce the ... Read More

7.Mozart / Brahms: Clarinet Quintets by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, David Shifrin, Eugene Drucker, Emerson String Quartet May 11, 1999
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For a couple years, I have been reviewing recordings of classical music from the point of view of the average person, who knows nothing of classical music. Now I've learned a bit, but I'm certainly still ignorant enough to speak for "Joe the Plumber." This review is not for experts, but it is for you if you know nothing or next to nothing about classical music, and are wondering if this recording is for you. It is! Satisfaction guaranteed! This is music that you can listen to very closely with great enjoyment; and it also sets a wonderful mood for romantic dinners, quiet conversations, or housework. What makes these two pieces of music so extraordinary, in my opinion, is the prettiness of the sound of the clarinet added to the string quartet. If you listen closely, throughout both you will be ... Read More

8.Bela Bartok: The 6 String Quartets - Emerson String Quartet by: Eugene Drucker, Lawrence Dutton, David Finckel, Philip Setzer, Emerson String Quartet October 25, 1990
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One reviewer said that Emerson wasn't rough enough. When this was released, I believe it was the roughest interpretation I had ever heard! Over-all, these are very good performances (and 100% accurate). The weakness of these performances is the gentler sections which, though technically perfect, lack feeling and conviction. Béla Bartók: The Six String Quartets - Juilliard String Quartet does a very good job of the quiet sections, but lacks power on the aggressive parts. My favorite recording of these pieces is Bartók: 6 String Quartets by the Hungarian String Quartet. Since I bought that I haven't listened to other recordings of this piece.

9.Bach - Solo Violin Sonatas & Partitas / Drucker by: Eugene Drucker February 27, 2001
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I had the privilege to hear live Mr Drucker play the chacony from Bach's second partita, and then read passages from his book The Savior. His performance was stunning, and this disc captures the same technical perfection as well as the depth and soul of the complete solo violin sonatas. An absolute must of a disc and a great companion to the book The Savior, both highly recommended.

10.American Originals - Ives & Barber: String Quartets by: Emerson String Quartet, Samuel Barber, Charles Ives, Lawrence Dutton, Eugene Drucker, David Finckel, Philip Setzer January 19, 1993
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I really liked the performance of the Samuel Barber string quartet. If played well, this, and other of Barber's pieces assume their true position of great, great importance within the American and, most especially, Euro-American composers repertoires. He is one of the most important composers. We can hear this here though one could also leave this recording aside after listening to it not knowing the work's great importance as, greater than the identification of the work as such, there is a lovely and incredible personalness from the players in the identifying with this work which they realise is very great (and so do we). Then also what they do is they demonstrate or exhibit a very, very special uniqueness of this piece itself for which I would give the recording 98 or 99 out of 100. It doesn't claim to ... Read More

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