Search - Bela Bartok, Keller Quartet, Otto Kertesz :: Bartók: Complete String Quartets Nos. 1-6

Bela Bartok, Keller Quartet, Otto Kertesz
Bartók: Complete String Quartets Nos. 1-6
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
1. String Quartet No.1, Op.7: I - Lento
2. String Quartet No.1, Op.7: II - Poco a poco accelerando - Allegretto
3. String Quartet No.1, Op.7: III - Introduzione (Allegro) - Allegro vivace
4. String Quartet No.2, Op.17: I - Moderato
5. String Quartet No.2, Op.17: II - Allegro molto capriccioso
6. String Quartet No.2, Op.17: III - Lento
7. String Quartet No.4: I - Allegro
8. String Quartet No.4: II - Prestissimo, con sordino
9. String Quartet No.4: III - Non troppo lento
10. String Quartet No.4: IV - Allegretto pizzacato
11. String Quartet No.4: V - Allegro molto
Track Listings (12) - Disc #2
1. String Quartet No.3: Prima parte - Moderato
2. String Quartet No.3: Seconda Parte - Allegro
3. String Quartet No.3: Ricapitulazione della prima parte - Moderato: Coda - Allegro Molto
4. String Quartet No.5: Allegro
5. String Quartet No.5: Adagio Molto
6. String Quartet No.5: Scherzo - Alla bulgarese
7. String Quartet No.5: Andante
8. String Quartet No.5: Finale - Allegro vivace
9. String Quartet No.6: I - Mesto - Vivace
10. String Quartet No.6: II - Mesto - Marcia
11. String Quartet No.6: III - Mesto - Burletta-moderato
12. String Quartet No.6: IV - Mesto - Keller Quartet

CD Details

All Artists: Bela Bartok, Keller Quartet, Otto Kertesz, Zoltan Gal, Andras Keller, Janos Pilz
Title: Bartók: Complete String Quartets Nos. 1-6
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Erato
Release Date: 11/7/1995
Album Type: Box set
Genre: Classical
Style: Chamber Music
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 745099853822

Synopsis

Amazon.com

It's a cruel fact of the marketplace that as fine a recording as this can nevertheless seem superfluous. The Keller Quartet plays very well, at a technical standard that, despite a few moments of coarse tone, would have seemed incredible a couple of decades ago. The interpretations range from reasonable to intensely involving, always doing honor to this great music. But with the intimidating standard set by the Emerson Quartet (Deutsche Grammophon), this excellent recording still cannot rank higher than as an interesting alternative worth hearing when you're looking for comparisons. --Leslie Gerber

CD Reviews

Neglected Bartok cycle

drdolores | 08/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Both the Penguin Guide and Gramophone Magazine have praised this recording (now reincarnated at super-bargain price on the Ultima label) as being 'echt'-Bartok, in the tradition of the Vegh quartet, but with richer, digital recording, a greater sense of vibrancy and truer intonation. Indeed, Sandor Vegh himself in the sleeve-note praises the Keller's "true sense of communication" with this staggeringly powerful music. These readings easily surpass, among digitally recorded rivals, such showy names as the Emersons or the Juilliards (1981 cycle), as this Hungarian ensemble seems far closer to both the spirit and the soul of this music, as well as being spectacularly accomplished technically. Along with the Vegh and the Takacs, highly recommended, and at the new price (see Ultima reissue) hard to beat."