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string quartet
 The String Quartet Tribute to the Beatles $16.98 This was perfect music for a wedding ceremony. Every bit of my wedding was one of the SQT Beatles songs. It made the music that much more special (cannon in D was just too common for me!) and the guests had that "Hey, I know this song!" look on their face. It was perfect! A great way to incorportate your favorite songs into a subdued setting  Dvork, Tchaikovsky, Borodin: Quartets $9.98 I purchased this set as a way of getting additional versions of favourite quartets and because since buying the Emerson's Bartok set I have held them in high regard. These are indeed fine performances that seem to me to reflect the contemporary concert practice of their day: that is to say what I describe as an effusive, engaging bravura. It fascinates me at times the way each generation of performers seeks to connect with their audience; something that becomes apparent when listening to historical recordings. My benchmark for the Tchaikovsky is the Amedaus Quartet - a lovely almost diaphanous aura - shimmering with seemingly effortless polish. The Emersons give a well judged, lively and unexaggerated rendering, which by comparison is more straight forward. In the Boridin my bechmark is Quartetto Italiano. I happen to have them on less than perfect vinyl and still I am transfixed by the magical stillness with which the notturno concludes and breathless beauty of all that preceeds the conclusion of that wonderful movement. To me this is a classic recording. The sound of Philip Setzer's first violin in the Emerson's version of the notturno is unsettling to my ears; almost shrill. Magnificent work on the cello by David Finckel is by contrast quite glorious. If anything, the music is just pushed a little firmly here; it doesn't float enough. However, the Emerson's way with the andante-vivace finale is terrific, bringing a rhythmic pulse that ensures that this is not anticlimatic after the notturno. The sound quality of the recording is first rate. Anybody who buys this set will have no reason to be disappointed, but as with many contemporary recordings, there may be better ones in the archive.  The Cambridge Companion to the String Quartet (Cambridge Companions to Music) $34.99 This survey of the string quartet by ten chamber music specialists focuses on four main areas: social and musical background to the genre's development; celebrated ensembles and their significance; and string quartet playing. It reviews aspects of contemporary and historical practice, including "mixed ensembles." Informative appendixes and a full chronology of the mainstream repertory complete this compact guide. |
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