Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. I. Lento
2. II. Allegretto
3. III. Introduzione (Allegro) - Allegro Vivace
4. I. Moderato
5. II. Allegro Molto Capriccioso
6. III. Lento
7. I. Allegro
8. II. Prestissimo, Con Sordino
9. III. Non Troppo Lento
10. IV. Allegretto Pizzicato
11. V. Allegro Molto

Disc 2:

1. I. Prima Parte: Moderato
2. II. Seconda Parte: Allegro
3. III. Ricapitolazione Della Prima Parte: Moderato - Coda: Allegro Molto
4. I. Allegro
5. II. Adagio Molto
6. III. Scherzo (Alla Bulgarese) & Trio
7. IV. Andante
8. V. Finale (Allegro Vivace)
9. I. Mesto - Vivace
10. II. Mesto - Marcia
11. III. Mesto - Burletta (Moderato)
12. IV. Mesto

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #87400 in Music
• Released on: 2006-06-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 152 minutes

Customer Reviews

Fantastic! Especially for the price!
I have always loved Bela Bartok's six String Quartets but it is very hard to find a cheaper-priced collection which sounds anywhere near as exciting as the acclaimed recording by The Emerson Quartet. However, I think the Alban Berg set is almost as stunning as the Emerson, and the recording of the performance is probably better.
The Emerson CD recording and mixing is good but a bit too cold for some of the lighter passages. However, the recording of this Alban Berg performance really is superb in all areas, with a perfect balance between all four instruments and the correct amount of reverb. The instruments sound quite dry and clear, but there is no loss of warmth at any stage. There is a wonderful sense of intimacy from the closeness of the sound but one never feels as if the players have been cramped into a small recording studio. The most accurate word for the sound is 'natural'.
The performance itself is often incredible. While I probably prefer the Emerson Quartet performance for many of the louder moments, especially for their virtuosity during the aggressive last movement of Bartok's 4th, the Alban Berg players are only slightly less impressive here.
During the softer, melodic moments and the intriguing pizzicato passages, the Alban Berg Quartet is as good as any other, if not better.
I adore the Emerson Quartet performance and it is still the yardstick for any quartet recording the Bartok set, but the performance by the Alban Berg Quartet, combined with a wonderful recording of their interpretation, gives any buyer on a budget a wonderful alternative. Without a budget to consider, it may be second choice but it is a very good one.

cold as ice
These are fabulous recordings of bartok's groundbreaking quartets. The Alban Berg quartet (if you are not familiar with them) have a tendancy to be a trifle cold in any music they perform, but especially in these challenging peices. Only confront these quartets once you have overcome Beethoven's Grosse fugue or Schoenberg's op4 and have explored all the romantic chamber music you can handle, as they are hard work! but very rewarding. Unlike like some early 20th century music they are more than experimental tuning exercises and are in fact a true consequence of what good old Haydn started.

Sad disappointment
The ABQ are unsurpassed in their championing of the 20th century string quartet. However, this set is a disappointment. In almost every aspect, from energy to an authentic folky twang, they are outdone by other ensembles. The best performances here are of the Debussyan first quartet and the second, rooted in but looking beyond the enchanted world of "Bluebeard's Castle" and "The Wooden Prince". If these are the quartets you are really after then these are a good choice, otherwise try instead the Emerson (DG) or the Keller (Warner Classics).