Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Suske-Quartett :: Beethoven: The Early String Quartets, Op. 18

Karl Suske, who later became concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, made numerous recordings in East Germany which are highly coveted by collectors of violin recordings. With his three adept colleagues, he recorded one of the best sets of these Quartets ever, straightforwardly played but full of character and individuality. For anyone who found the East German LP pressings of these recordings, they were a trial to hear through their grim surfaces. But the CD reprocessing shows excellently made, realistic, well-balanced sound. At its midprice status, on two CDs, this set is a real bargain. --Leslie Gerber