Reference Recording: Beethoven's Late String Quartets

[@TheRobertcrow]

As a pupil of Végh's I remember playing second violin in the 'große Fuge' from op. 130 in his chamber orchestra (Camerata Academica) some 45 years ago. The experience is engrained in me and has certainly remained a musical 'reference memory' in my own life. Happy to hear his recordings awarded this recognition we all felt so deeply as his students.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank you for adding this personal note!

[@mirkoeinhorn09]

This recordings made me cry when I listened to them for the first time. I was about 15 years old, exploring my fathers record collection. It was a revelation. I couldn't understand how these four old geezers on the record cover, who you could hear moaning in the slow movements, could produce something so beautiful.

[@XerxesLangrana]

I am 42 and have been listening to orchestral music most of my life. I tried listening to chamber music when I was younger, but it didn’t appeal to me. I guess, at least for some people, it takes an acquired taste or a coming of age, and a certain maturity to be able to appreciate chamber music. I thank you David for the video you did on Beethoven’s best string quartets. Luckily, we live in the digital age so one can sample music before purchasing it. I have the entire cycle downloaded and I love the performances. I also have to mention that it also led me to string quartets by other composers, and my favorite are the ones by Bartok. Although Keller Quartet are outstanding, I prefer the Vegh Quartet performances of the Bartok string quartet over others. Loving this Reference Recording series.

[@foreignwindow]

The Végh recordings on Naive are available right here on youtube. I have listened to them many times as I walk the dogs through the woods. Beautiful.

[@michelangelomulieri5134]

I have three ex aequo reference recording on Beethoven late quartets: this you reviewed, quartetto italiano and alban berg quartet.

[@happywolfie1980]

I have the latter 2 and they are amazing enough for me!

[@geshtin]

Ok. You surprised me with this choice. I was honestly expecting AB or Italiano here. :D

[@swcblad]

i agree with yours more

[@rustberg]

Important and brilliant observation you make about Beethoven fusing the Classical and Baroque forms in the late quartets. Fusion is the right word, because the energy released from the incongruity of the Classical sectional structure vs. Baroque continuous structure is the source for much of that sublimity. The cavatina is a perfect example of this fusion. Neither Classic or Baroque-goes beyond both to another world. Incidentally, the last six Beethoven piano sonatas do the same thing (take the same journey fusing Classical with Baroque). The late quartets spin directly from them. Really enjoy your videos. Bravo.

[@geniusrepairman1]

The vegh quartets are on the Presto streaming ap

[@micolsen9824]

Great collection. I recall one day back in the 90's, listening to the complete set from 9 am to 6 pm. I think I passed on lunch.😅

[@fieldHunter61]

Beethoven mid-late quartets are probably my favorite music ever written. Spent many hours (relatively speaking) listening to them since discovering only 1.5 years ago. Alban Berg and Quartetto Italiano have been on top for a while now but there are quite a few I still need to experience. Look forward to reading Beethoven Quartet Companion.

[@woongcho7709]

Dave, I would like you to use your power to force Naive or whatever label has this set on their catalogue to re-release it. I used to have its digital files that I really enjoyed and then when I decided to buy its physical copy, I found it has been deleted. I think this is one of the few gaps left in my collection that I need to fill.

[@stephenkeen2404]

Stereo versions are available on Qobuz. CD quality but they sound great. The cover is from the Valois version, but they're credited to Naive. While we're making requests, is there a reference Shostakovich quartet cycle, or for any particular quartet? The 8th would be a likely candidate, but I cannot remember who put it on the map. (My first versions were Borodin and Fitzwilliams.) Nowadays, every quartet seems to play it. I half expect to see a bluegrass quartet do it.

[@martinosimionato1536]

Borodin quartet, or if you want jerusalem quartet

[@stephenkeen2404]

Why would you nominate Jerusalem? I like them, but there's a lot of competition by the time they recorded the 8th.@@martinosimionato1536

[@winslowrogers2026]

I would love to learn about your reference recording for the Schubert Octet. I was surprised to find around 50 versions for streaming on Apple Music.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Oy! I'll put it on the list. So many good ones and I'm not sure there is a reference. I'll have to think about it.

[@TichmanClassCologne]

I have the good fortune to have access to the Naxos Streaming Service as part of my library membership. Almost every record Dave has mentioned has been available there, including these Vegh recordings. The few exceptions have been available on KZbin

[@jensguldalrasmussen6446]

A short visit to the Bodleian taught me, that the Vegh set was recorded between 1972 and 1974, and released on LP by Telefunken. Just one thing made me wonder: how on earth did David get thorough the whole video without at least mentioning the Smetana Quartet just once? Lastly, anyone, who posses some ability to muster just an iota of forbearence with a bit of (but, actually, not that bad) historical/dated sound, shouldn't rob themselves of the experience of the Busch Quartett (yes, David, the Germans spell Quartet with a double-t!) in the late Beethoven quartets!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

OK, they spell it wrongg. I forgive themm. No need to mention other versions when talking about the reference recording. I discuss the Smetana Quartet in my Beethoven Quartet surveys. Can't talk about everything every time!

[@alanmillsaps2810]

The Vegh stereo set was made by the small French label Valois and released on LP by them in France. Valois licensed the recordings to Telefunken who released them in three handsome boxed sets which got limited worldwide distribution in the 70s. In the early 90s Valois was bought by Auvidis which was later acquired by Naive. I've seen them on more than one label in the CD era, most recently on Naive.

[@jensguldalrasmussen6446]

​@@alanmillsaps2810Thank you for putting the record straight!

[@levitopher]

I've just started studying the late quartets with some intention (following Robert Greenberg's Great Course), and I have to say that I really like the Takacs version - so exciting and intense. I've also been listening to Alexander and Budapest, so I'll add these to my list as well.

[@morrigambist]

I now have these on CD, but the first version I remember in America was on Telefunken LPs.

[@nicholasjagger6557]

Their Bartok stereo set is the best too, played as music rather than a modernist manifesto.

[@alecsachs9082]

I was wondering. Have you done a video on a reference recording of Beethoven’s Late Piano Sonatas?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

No.

[@Madjed2024]

I adore your French I know that in your review of the 16 versions where you selected smetana as your favorite you did not mention the Yale quartet. I not writing to say you should but rather to ask the expert a question about them I happen to have a boxset of the late quartets by them and I have been browsing the net to see if they have recorded the early and middle ones but could not find any info. Not that it matters much but as a collectors I like to complete the series if they have but if they have never recorded these then I could part with the box set I have since I have many of the one you recommended even in vinyl Much appreciate if your time allows you to answer Be well and stay healthy I got finally hit by Covid after dodging its bullets for 4 years !!!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

They didn't do a complete cycle, unfortunately--only the late quartets. Thanks for taking the time to write, and feel better!

[@Madjed2024]

@@DavesClassicalGuide thanks for your kind words I am glad I had made in the past good choices for the String quartet at the time I was ( and still) collecting Vinyl ( Julliard, Budapest, Hungarian, Italian etc) others I have in CDs but now I am after the Smetana I am learning so much from you David You are a “ véritable encyclopédie”, yes I lived 19 years in the land of Descartes!!! I tried to use the search engine on your website but perhaps I misuse it or it is not for your site to trying to search within the 3000 videos you made - a comparative of the 5 cello and piano of the Master ( Ludwig of course) - a comparative of the 6 suites for cello solos of Bach ( of course Casals I would get is the “enregistrement de référence” ) but curious about your opinion of others Many thanks

[@dizwell]

Available from Presto as FLAC downloads at around £85. Another purchase from me coming up, then!!

[@ngershon]

Did the Amadeus Quartet have a reference recording for anything?

[@morrigambist]

For me, the Mozart Clarinet Quintet with Leister and the Piano Quintet with Eschenbach.

[@thebiblepriest4950]

Not being fussy, but just want to say that the word "sublime" is from Latin "sub limina" which means "above the threshold." I know, "sub" means "under" as in "subway," but often it flips into its opposite. So "Subiaco" is from "sub lacum" -- not "under the lake" but "above the lake." Keep up the good work.

[@murraylow4523]

Thank you, that’s fascinating

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Nifty! I love etymology. Go for it.

[@flexusmaximus4701]

Good choice, but as much as i love the performance, the recorded sound in my issue is very bottum heavy. This is one set i have always thought really needed a good remastering. Their is a boomy sound, and lack of higher range. The performances are reverential, just wish the recordings were better. Paul

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

The sonics are bottom-heavy, but certainly not problematic as far as I am concerned.

[@micolsen9824]

Try using the bass knob on your receiver.

[@flexusmaximus4701]

@@micolsen9824 well that took a lot of serious constructive thought.

[@Taosravenfan]

Really hard to find this one for purchase.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Like I said.

[@robj7386]

can’t find it on Apple Music

[@gabibensimon9]

They are on Spotify

[@Taosravenfan]

My classical playlists are all owned and either old downloaded discs or from iTunes.

[@itsagasgasgas]

@@robj7386 It is on Apple Music. Try typing Quatuor Vegh (without the accent on the e).

[@fred6904]

Hello Dave! Is there a reference recording of Shostakovich's Symphony no 6? Best wishes Fred from Kristianstad.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, actually.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Haha Dave keeping it vague, (or Vegh)???

[@fred6904]

Ok , thank you very much for answering.

[@jamesmyers6838]

Berglund, Bournemouth SO

[@violadamore2-bu2ch]

Every word, Dave, every word.......

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Not arguing your choice, but in most reviews I remember reading, they always cited the Berg QT as reference, so...I ended up buying that one. I shall now look into the Vague QT.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Vegh. Berg was just one of many, and they screwed themselves by redoing the quartets live in lousy digital sound.

[@gavingriffiths2633]

I felt sure you'd go for the Busch Quartet's version - you remain full of surprises...!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Lucky that I bought the earlier cycle. But again...now I need to hear Vegh.

[@richardfrankel6102]

​@@DavesClassicalGuide "Lousy" doesn't do it justice: it's exCRUUUciating!!! A combination of gritty, harsh early-digital sound, and blaring, midrange-spotlighting mikes designed to capture soloists in a noisy live environment. But for the same recordings in much-improved sound, look for the 3 EMI 2-DVD sets that made up the Berg Qt's live Beethoven Quartet cycle. (You'd need all 3 volumes, because each contains a mix of Early, Middle, and Late Qts.) To my ears, the sound on the DVDs, while still mid-forward, has lost that awful 'digititis' of the CDs...unless the visual images are just distracting my brain from the sound...🤔

[@bbailey7818]

​@gavingriffiths2633 I would have expected the Budapest monos. Not the stereo remakes, though, which are slower, looser, flabbier.

[@HoraceInExile]

Isaac Asimov said (roughly; I'm paraphrasing) that there are two intelligent species on Earth: homo sapiens and Hungarians. My professional field was computational mathematics, and I can assure you Hungarian mathematicians do the same thing for mathematics that Hungarian musicians do for music. Leo Szilard made a similar assertion about Hungarian scientists, resulting in the great Hungarian physicists of the 20th century being referred to as "the Martians."