Alban Berg Quartett—The Complete Recordings
Considering the horror stories of string quartet breakups, including lawsuits, intrigue, jealousies, murder investigations, and the general craziness of some highly publicized examples, the stability, longevity and consistent performance quality of the legendary Alban Berg Quartett (ABQ) are quite remarkable.
The group worked for almost 40 years since their formation in 1970, with very few personnel changes. In 2005, their long time violist, Thomas Kakuska died of pancreatic cancer. According to Kakuska’s wishes, the group, although broken hearted (cellist Valentin Erben said ‘There was a big rupture in our hearts’), soldiered on with one of his students. Isabel Charisuis was deeply schooled in the ABQ’s style and performance practices and they continued for a further 3 years, giving their last concert in 2008.
Formed in Vienna from profs from the Vienna Academy of Music and leaders of the Philharmoniker and Symphony, the members were instilled with the city’s unique string style. In a short period of time, the ABQ became famous for flawless technical quality, perfect intonation and musical integrity.
An early recording from 1975 featuring a photo of the original quartet, Klaus Maetzl, 2nd violin, Valentin Erben, cello, Günter Pichler, 1st violin, and Hatto Beyerle, viola. Maetzl was replaced by Gerhard Schulz in 1978 and Beyerle by Thomas Kakuska in 1981.
They formed specifically to champion modern works, hence the name (with permission given by Berg’s widow) but were soon approached by Deutsche Grammophon (who they turned down due to DG’s insistence on recording classical repertoire) and then signed by Teldec (which later became EMI). At Teldec, they could record their beloved Alban Berg and other modernist repertoire and still fulfill the recording company’s demand for core string quartets—Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn and Schubert. They played all genres brilliantly and became so famous so quickly, their 1978 Beethoven cycle sold over a million copies. An unheard of number in the classical music industry.
This 62 CD set adds 8 DVDs (not viewed) and was released on May 29, 2020. The box is complete, meaning all releases, studio and live, and films of performances and about the group. Complete. About half of the CDs, and appearing first, are studio recordings stemming primarily from Vienna, later Seon, Switzerland. The bulk of the 30 or so live recordings are from their residencies at the Mozart-Saal, in the Vienna Konzerthaus.
The Mozart -Saal of the Wiener Konzerthaus, Vienna. The majority of the ABQ’s live recordings were made here.
The smart box slides open like a drawer and each of the CDs and DVDs are in a lightweight cardboard sleeve with original cover art work. The detailed booklet is filled with photos, interviews and detailed listings.
The group’s collaborations are many and include artists such as Sabine Meyer, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Philippe Entremont, Alfred Brendel and others. For the most part, although very fine, I don’t hear the collabs as musically successful as with the quartet alone. And with various studios, producers, engineers and live locations such as Carnegie Hall and St. Petersburg, the recorded quality can vary, but it’s never less than good. Yet, when focussed either live or in studio with just the ABQ, the recording standards are superb.
Except for the odd bit of clapping and a speech or two, don’t let the ‘live’ put you off. ABQ began live recording after many years in the studio and enjoyed the feeling it added to their performances. This was the time live recordings of classical groups became the norm. The group’s reputation for perfection had grown so much, you’ll be hard pressed to tell the difference between a studio recording and live. In fact, I still can’t decide which Beethoven cycle I prefer, the early studio or the later live cycle. No matter, as they’re both stunning.
Much like the LA/Mehta and Orpheus boxes I reviewed recently, you can take out any ABQ CD and be sure of a first class performance and recording of all the major, and some minor, repertoire, with many of the CDs I’d place as a top choice for the particular work.
So, the following CDs are incredible for both musicianship and recording:
CD 2: Webern, CD 7 through 10: Mozart quartets, CD 11 through 17: Beethoven cycle (you can jump to CDs 35 through 42 for the 2nd cycle if you prefer), Schubert with a great String Quintet in C, D 956 (CD 19) and Trout Quintet, D 667 (CD 26), more fabulous Mozart quartets (and his string quintets) from later recordings on CD 27 through 32, and lots of exceptional Haydn quartet recordings, especially CD 53, 54 and 55. That’s enough to keep you going for a while. Others I found exceptional include what I believe the best Béla Bartók cycle on disc (CD 20 and 21), a magnificent Ravel & Debussy (CD 23) and an equally fine recording of Janáček’s two quartets (CD 50). The recordings of their namesake are legendary. I loved them both (CD 1 & 46), but the later one knocked my socks off.
Other major composers represented by their quartets including Brahms, Dvořák and Smetana and all receive top notch performances.
Misses? Very few. I think Brendel had an off night and the Carnegie-based recording with Entremont is a little dull. The Sabine Meyer and Elisabeth Leonskaja recordings fare much better.
My trifecta for the very best in string quartet playing, musicality, technical perfection (including a quartet’s bugaboo, intonation) and communication, is exemplified by the ABQ. Their legion of fans around the world adore these qualities. While great early quartets like the Busch, Vegh and Budapest had large followings, it was ABQ and to a lesser extent, Amadeus and Juilliard who set the incredibly high standards from the ‘70s on. Later, the best in contemporary quartets such as recently disbanded Emerson and the current Dover Quartet also owe much to the ABQ’s influence.
This Warner 2021 set is still readily available. Purchase this legacy musical statement while you can. It’ll be out of print before you know it. I purchased off Amazon (no financial affiliation) and it cost about 3 bucks a disc. An insane value.
Catalogue No: 9029538517
Label: Warner Classics
