Beethoven: The Late String Quartets

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. September 11, 2008

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 and '50s, and quite close to that of the Hungarian Quartet set from the early '50s, also on EMI.

I am glad to have stereo recording by the Vegh, Alban Berg and Takacs Quartets, among others, but exposure to the range of recording art, from the 78 era through analog 'hi-fi' and stereo to recent digital releases only increases my appreciation of the purely musical values that emerge from these recordings by the Busch Quartet.

Please note that the recording of the Grosse Fuga on this release is not by the Busch Quartet, but by a string orchestra conducted by Adolph Busch. June 16, 2008

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 will be opened to a much deeper level of interpretation and you will hear sensitive and profound readings of these masterpieces. April 17, 2008

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 to this set, or is just making some wild, unfounded assumptions. April 10, 2008

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 nine of Beethoven's 16 string quartets for HMV and American Columbia during the 1930s and early 1940s. Though other eminent quartet groups recorded Beethoven during this period, none rivalled the Busch's reputation for getting to the heart of Beethoven's inspiration."

P.S. -- Given the variable sources, there is sometimes a bit of residual hiss (as in Op. 132), sometimes none (Op. 131), and violin tone can be a little squeaky or not, depending. April 9, 2008

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