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Brahms' String Quartets by the LaSalle on DGG...RARE-OUT OF

Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 02/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

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Brahms' three String Quartets are amongst his most remarkable creations. It's said he wrote many others which he subsequently destroyed. In this genre (as with the symphony) he was forced to directly confront the legacy of Beethoven. The result in both genres is that Brahms eventually took a Janus-like stance: looking back to Mozart, and forward to Schönberg. Brahms did of course incorporate Beethoven's rhythmic vivacity.



Brahms's String Quartets are really remarkable gems of art, yet strangely overlooked. Art enthusiasts would do well to capture their essence, and fully appreciate their rare colours, flavours, and textures.



Withal, this set of recordings by the LaSalle Quartet gets my vote for the overall finest realizations of the Quartets. I have three other sets besides, all of which I enjoy, but the LaSalle is number one.



Why? Well, it's difficult to say. While some of the movement running times of the ensembles vary wildly, they all seem to end up with quite similar complete playing times. So, it's a matter of overall unified vision, concept, and execution. To me, while they're all great, the LaSalle especially stands out with a clearly articulated overall vision. I can say that the LaSalle plays with a combination of suavity and brio, fire and ice--(they've had a lot of experience with the Second Viennese School, and I think this is reflected in their Brahms' interpretations).



The ensembles are all technically superb; and the recorded sounds are fine. In the end, it could come down to simply the additional material in the (all 2 CD) sets: the LaSalle includes the extremely rare string quartet of the youthful Hugo Wolf. The Amadeus gives us a beautiful reading of Dvorák's "American" Quartet. The Emerson includes the Piano Quintet with Leon Fleisher sitting in. And the Alban Berg gives us a "live" version of Op. 51, No. 2 on a single disc at ~:35mins.



This LaSalle recording is out of print, but currently being reissued by a reputable firm. I would absolutely recommend enthusiasts obtain a copy before the reissue becomes unavailable. (Also, do get the out of print but available from a 3rd party vendor Amadeus set. Too, [egad!] the LaSalle's readings of the Second Viennese School now seem out of print: get it while you can!! Moreover, I believe the LaSalle's late-Beethoven is the best!!!)



Brahms: The String Quartets/Dvorak: Quartet, Op. 96

Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets

Brahms: String Quartet in Cm No1, Op51/1; String Quartet in Am No2, Op51/2

Brahms: String Quartets (Complete) [Remastered] [Japan]

Piano Quintet in F Min / Complete String Quartets (1, 2, 3)

Neue Wiener Schule

Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 13: Late String Quartets

Zemlinsky: The String Quartets / Apostel: String Quartet No. 1

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