Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, The Lindsays :: Beethoven: The String Quartets, Vol. 7

Marvelous, the standard for years to come

noeton | Pennsylvania | 09/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I respectfully offer that the previous two reviewers are skewed in their views. This disc, indeed all of the Lindsays new Beethoven cycle (and older ones!) are truly marvelous. The recording is indeed close up--one captures all the nuances that way, and with the Lindsays that is especially worthwhile. The "sniffling" is actually breathing, and is necessary for players to phrase properly. I assure you, every 'sniffle' is precisely planned, as that is how musicians do it. One must simply accommodate oneself to it for chamber music listening. If one is sensitive to such things, one has only to listen awhile, for with the Lindsays above all, such distractions will recede from your consciousness as the music completely draws you in.



I cannot endorse the entire cycle, not just this disc, more heartily. What is special about this latest cycle is a profound maturity and depth in the interpretations, that in no way outstrips or is outstripped by the ensemble's spectacular technique. Rather the two are mutually reinforcing. Op132 is a personal favorite. I would tell anyone to start there. And if they'd never once heard a note of classical music, and did not become instant life-long lovers of it through that record alone, I would consider abandoning society for the hills.



This particular disc ought to become the standard for this monumental work from Beethoven's late period. More needn't be said.



I should hope one doesn't shy away due to price. It is indeed hefty, but I give my sincerest promise that it is worth every single penny and then some. To give a comparsion, the Takacs Quartet is also exceptional. One could easily go that route, but I would start with the Lindsays, and really only their newest cycle. The others, especially middle (the white discs with little blue pictures), are very, very good. But one of the new discs is worth 3 of the old, if only for the pure clean sound which one doesn't necessarily find in the older ones. For a compact disc, the warmth is as good as it gets."

Nothing Like the Earlier Lindsays

Stephen Grabow | Lawrence, Kansas | 01/28/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Having the earlier Lindsay Quartet set of the Late Quartets, I was curious about their new, more recent, digital cycle. Unfortunately, their interpretation of the opp. 130 and 133 has become much sharper and more agressive. All of the dynmaics seem exaggerated and the whole performance seems so mannered that the players call attention to themselves rather than to the music. For a digital recording, the Takacs Quartet is superb. For good analogue, the earlier Lindsays and the Talich too. If you don't mind mono, the Hollywood and Busch Quartets are still hard to beat."