Schubert: Complete string quartets

[visualnickmos]

I'd just like to ask whether any of you may be able to offer any advice or guidance on a possible future purchase of the above. I see there is a Hannsler Classics set by the Verdi Quartet which seems well-reviewed, but I'd appreciate some more expert input regarding other contenders, if at all possible. Naxos, for exapmle....etc.

Thank you in advance for any 'pointers'. I'm just beginning to listen to, and appreciate Schubert, hence my ignorance about available "good" versions! I have just one or two of the SQs; varied performances, Lindsays, Hagen, namely.... Also some of his Piano sonatas with Brendel and Richter, and some piano music for 4 hands. So my journey has sort of commenced.

Nick

[Roehre]

The very first complete cycle ever recorded was on DGG by the Melos Quartett (http://www.amazon.com/Schubert-String-Quartets-Franz-Vienna/dp/B00002DEH3)(1970s).
To the present day I think this is a very recommendable set, if you are after all of the quartets.

[EdgeleyRob]

The very first complete cycle ever recorded was on DGG by the Melos Quartett (http://www.amazon.com/Schubert-String-Quartets-Franz-Vienna/dp/B00002DEH3)(1970s).
To the present day I think this is a very recommendable set, if you are after all of the quartets.

I have this set and it is excellent

[ostuni]

The 4-cd box set by the Lindsays on Sanctuary Classics is a remarkable bargain. It doesn't contain the earlier quartets (but I personally find these a lot less interesting than, say, Beethoven's op 18), but has all the late, great ones plus a wonderfully spacious account of the C major quintet. HMV (http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=172674) have it at £8.99, which makes it a no-brainer, as our transatlantic cousins put it...

[gurnemanz]

I went for the Leipzig set which is marvellous. The 9 disc box is great value.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Schubert-Complete-Quartets-Leipzig-Quartet/dp/B00005QSWV/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1303774597&sr=1-1

Individually they are full price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Schubert-String-Quartets-Vol-4/dp/B0000021F9/ref=sr_1_8?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1303775092&sr=1-8

[kernelbogey]

I continue to listen with great pleasure to the complete recordings by the Amadeus Quartet, perhaps not to everyone's taste these days, but to me wonderful. That box set seems not to be available now in that form, but there is an Amadeus box set with a lot of Haydn quartets and some Schubert which looks good value at c£14 on Presto. If you don't know Schubert's string quintet, be sure to get hold of it - one of the most sublime of all chamber works. Best wishes with your exploration. kb

[Mark Sealey]

Agreed (http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/m/mdg70602a.php); it's the one to buy.


I went for the Leipzig set which is marvellous.…

[aeolium]

I would not wish to be without the Philips 2-CD set of the Quartetto Italiano's recordings of Schubert's late quartets. These are wonderful performances and contain all of the Schubert quartet works I want to hear - I'm not that keen on the earlier ones.

[amateur51]

Agreed (http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/m/mdg70602a.php); it's the one to buy.

Very informative review, Mark - many thanks :ok:

Can I put in a word for all the Busch quartet's Schubert recordings? - very old 78 sound but they come up well with judicious modern care and allow you to hear the style of playing from a bye-gone age, a scoop here, some deliciouus vibrato and rubato there. They are strictly a supplement to or perhaps an enticer into the modern recordings of the masterworks but essential listening, I'd suggest. Then you have the best of all worlds :biggrin:

[aeolium]

And also as a historical choice the excellent Hollywood quartet, who recorded some of the late quartets and the string quintet (with Kurt Reher).

[HighlandDougie]

Thanks to Gurnemanz for the recommendation of the complete Leipzig set. I didn't know they were available as a set and, having been too mean to buy them as individual discs at full price, the Amazon offer (in my case amazon.de using my euro Visa card - even cheaper than .uk) is irresistible. Greatly agree with amateur51 on the Busch recordings and aeolium on the Italian SQ - I wouldn't want to be without either.

[Mark Sealey]

The Busch's and Italiano's Beethoven series are invaluable for the same reasons, aren't they?


…Can I put in a word for all the Busch quartet's…

[kernelbogey]

And (off topic) the Busch Quartet's Brahms Clarinet Quintet with Reginald Kell.

[Stanfordian]

I have several sets of the Schubert string quartets. In my view it is best to just obtain the late ones. I would suggest the Lindsays on Santuary for £8.99 post free on HMV. Link: http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;1;-1;-1;-1&sku=172674
and the Belcea Quartet on EMI Classics from HMV post free for £10.99. Link:http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;0;-1;-1;-1&sku=287515
I also like the Brandis Quartet of Berlin on Brilliant Classics for £6.99 post free from HMV. Link:
http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;1;-1;-1;-1&sku=388318
and of course the Italian Quartet (Quartetto Italiano) on Philips for £8.99 post free from HMV. Link:http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1;-1&sku=917896
The Naxos complete series from the Kodaly Quartet on Naxos is fine too.

[Donnie Essen]

Do the early ones have so little merit?

I have only the awesome Lindsays set already mentioned, so not much to compare to except some individual performances I got.

[visualnickmos]

Thank you everyone for your valuable assistance. I eventually decided to go for the Melos Quartet (DG).
...and at a knockdown price on Amz .fr; less than 20 Euros