Beethoven: String Quartets 8 & 9 - Quartetto Italiano
PentaTone RQR PTC 5186 176
Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid
Classical - Chamber
Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 59 No. 2, String Quartet Op. 59 No. 3
Quartetto Italiano
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Review by John Broggio - March 2, 2010
This disc fully deserves a welcome to its intended multi-channel setting (albeit an era after the original quadraphonic recording).
Completing the cycle of the Rasumovsky quartets started on Beethoven: String Quartets 6 & 7 - Quartetto Italiano, the disc shows the same properties as before. The same subtle accents and graduated dynamics permeate the performance as do the safe (but never dull) choice of tempos. All the music just unfolds before one with a gentle ease - perhaps a little too much so in some cases but all is well in this world.
The only minor quibbles that listeners might have is that the feeling of ecstasy at the conclusion of the third Rasumovsky quartet is somewhat less than it could be felt in some of today’s better performances. This is largely due to the very well mannered playing that might now, post HIP movement, be considered too polite. For those who abhor the HIP movement this disc should take pride of place in the SACD library.
The sound is also good for the era but the violin sound above the stave is noticeably thinner than in more modern recordings. That aspect aside, the recording is both extremely naturally balanced and conveys the playing with delicious clarity.
Recommended.
Copyright © 2010 John Broggio and HRAudio.net
Performance:
Sonics (Multichannel):
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