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Bernstein and Beethoven String Quartet transcriptions?

172.14.49.253

Posted on November 20, 2014 at 19:56:57
jimbill
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Posts: 3042
Location: Texas
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Anybody heard this recording he did with the Vienna Philharmonic of Opp. 131 and 135, and if so, your thoughts about it?

 

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RE: Bernstein and Beethoven String Quartet transcriptions?, posted on November 21, 2014 at 08:40:57
steve.ott@kctcs.edu
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I've had the CD of 131 and 135 for years and recently bought the LP of 131. I think they are terrific, especially 131. Quartet 14 is such an interesting and dramatic piece anyway, and Bernstein
and the VPO make it that much more. Very much recommended.



 

Fantastic, posted on November 21, 2014 at 09:13:17
Larry I
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The Bernstein transcriptions are VERY good. It is not a radical departure from a conventional quartet performance. Bernstein utilized a small string orchestra and did little more than use multiple instruments instead of one to play each part. The added weight and majesty works well in places, though in others, a conventional quartet reading works better. But, as a big fan of all of Beethoven's late quartets, this recording is something different and very welcome.

 

Interestingly enough, the VPO also recorded Op. 131 under Previn, posted on November 21, 2014 at 09:19:58
John Marks
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Location: Peoples' Democratic Republic of R.I.
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Which might not be as dynamic or impassioned as the Bernstein, but Previn actually makes the opening adagio sound like a Mahler symphony slow movement.

Which may or may not work for you. Previn's filler is Toscanini's Verdi quartet orchestration, and all one can say is: Who Knew?

David Hurwitz wrote:

An interesting coupling, this, and an appealing release overall. Leonard Bernstein also recorded Beethoven's Op. 131 quartet with the Vienna Philharmonic, and not surprisingly that version offers a greater degree of contrast than does Previn's. Especially in the central variation movement Bernstein achieves a raptness of expression (at a much slower tempo) that this version never approaches, and his quick movements have more bite too. Though more placid, which is not to say tepid, Previn's performance is just as beautifully played and even more warmly recorded, and it's the only place to go if you want Toscanini's arrangement of Verdi's lively, appealing jeu d'esprit (Bernstein includes another Beethoven transcription). And that's all there is to it. The strings of the Vienna Philharmonic remain one of the wonders of the orchestral world, and how can you not enjoy hearing them strut their stuff? Lovely fun.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

That CD is OOP, so your choices are a j-i-t clone from Arkivmusic.com or trying eBay.

A propos de rien, any number of people have lambasted me for my "guilty pleasure" Bernstein pick for Enigma Variations, with its Glacial Nimrod.

jm

 

RE: Bernstein and Beethoven String Quartet transcriptions?, posted on November 21, 2014 at 10:11:21
bjh
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Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
Just curious, did Bernstein write the transcriptions?


 

RE: Bernstein and Beethoven String Quartet transcriptions?, posted on November 21, 2014 at 11:26:16
steve.ott@kctcs.edu
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The liner notes to my LP say that when Bernstein was a student, he heard Mitropoulos play this (131) with the Boston Symphony strings, using a score in which "not a single note,dynamic or scoring detail of Beethoven's was changed..." and the cellos and bases doubled-up on the cello part. The same score Bernstein used for his recording. Don't know about op. 135.

 

RE: Interestingly enough, the VPO also recorded Op. 131 under Previn, posted on November 21, 2014 at 11:27:32
steve.ott@kctcs.edu
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Din't know about this one. Thanks.

 

Streaming it now (QOBUZ 16/44.1 Lossless FLAC)..., posted on November 21, 2014 at 19:14:07
Ivan303
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Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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Disk 10 of this 60 disk box set.




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

Thanks! nt, posted on November 21, 2014 at 23:48:52
bjh
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Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
.


 

Worth the listen, IMNSHO..., posted on November 22, 2014 at 12:54:18
Ivan303
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Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
Thanks for the suggestion.


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: Bernstein and Beethoven String Quartet transcriptions?, posted on November 22, 2014 at 12:57:44
I've got the 131 and love it, esp the remarkable 1st Mov't.

DGG's live recordings IMHO tend to be easier on the ear as well.

 

Live and learn I guess, posted on November 22, 2014 at 14:45:56
kavakidd
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Location: Upstate NY
Joined: April 15, 2004
I have long enjoyed the Early Quartets (I have Quartet Italiano) and never knew of these transcriptions.Sounds interesting...
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain

 

RE: Bernstein and Beethoven String Quartet transcriptions?, posted on November 23, 2014 at 16:30:35
goldenthal
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Location: Ontario
Joined: March 28, 2003
In decades of listening, I have found only Toscanini's string-section performance (op. 135) to equal or better performances by the Budapest or the Quartetto. I understand a conductor's urge to conduct these great last-period Beethoven works, but the result comes down to the interpreter, and I never found Bernstein or Previn, e.g., to interpret late Beethoven as profoundly as do the two quartet groups mentioned above. And, btw, I defy anyone to produce an orchestrated version of the op 133 that sounds as orchestral as the Quartetto's humble (?) string-quartet version.

But, given the quality of music we're discussing, you may find (as I did) virtually unlimited joy in experimenting with all the possibilities.


Jeremy

 

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