Alban Berg Quartet – Beethoven: The ‘Middle Period’ String Quartets [2 SACDs] (1978-1979/2022) [SACD / Tower Records Definition Serie – TDSA-191/2]

Title: Alban Berg Quartet – Beethoven: The ‘Middle Period’ String Quartets [2 SACDs] (1978-1979/2022)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO

The Alban Berg Quartet’s mid-period Beethoven string quartets, originally recorded for EMI, are now available on SACD for the first time globally. This monumental analog recording from 1978–83 solidified the quartet’s worldwide fame. Digitized at 192kHz/24bit from Japan’s original analog master tapes, it offers superior sound quality. The SACD includes separate mastering for SACD and CD layers, along with new commentary and translations. Part of the quartet’s acclaimed complete Beethoven string quartets, this set won the 1985 Record Academy Award in Japan. The mid-period quartets, the only analog portion of the complete works, showcase exceptional musical cohesion and technical excellence. The SACD captures intricate details, like the musicians’ breath and the music’s emergence, with unprecedented clarity. Analog recordings are prioritized in this project for their ability to maximize master tape potential. The well-preserved analog tapes enhance the listening experience, surpassing previous CD releases. This permanent preservation disc reaffirms the recording’s historic impact and enduring greatness.

hraudio | tower.jp

Tracklist:

Disc 1

String Quartet No.7 in F Major, Op.59 No.1 “Razumovsky”
01. I. Allegro (9:29)
02. II. Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando (8:45)
03. III. Adagio molto e mesto (12:56)
04. IV. (Thème russe) Allegro (8:09)

String Quartet No.8 in E Minor, Op.59 No.2 “Razumovsky”
05. I. Allegro (8:59)
06. II. Molto adagio (12:23)
07. III. Allegretto-Maggiore (Thème russe) (6:28)
08. IV. Finale. Presto (5:15)

Disc 2

String Quartet No.9 in C Major, Op.59 No.3 “Razumovsky”
01. I. Introduzione. Andante con moto – Allegro vivace (8:08)
02. II. Andante con moto quasi allegretto (10:10)
03. III. Menuetto. Grazioso (4:56)
04. IV. Allegro molto (6:00)

String Quartet No.10 in E-Flat Major, Op.74 “Harp”
05. I. Poco adagio – Allegro (9:25)
06. II. Adagio ma non troppo (9:30)
07. III. Présto (5:06)
08. IV. Allegretto con variazioni (6:31)

String Quartet No.11 in F Minor, Op.95 “Quartetto serioso”
09. I. Allegro con brio (3:54)
10. II. Allegretto ma non troppo (6:27)
11. III. Allegro assai vivace, ma serioso (4:25)
12. IV. Larghetto espressivo – Allegretto agitato – Allegro (4:49)

Personnel:

Alban Berg Quartet
Günther Pichler, violin
Gerhard Schulz, violin
Hatto Beyerle, viola
Valentin Erben, cello

Note:

(1-1)-(1-4) Recorded at the Evangelische Kirche, Seon in IV.1979
(1-5)-(1-8) Recorded at the Evangelische Kirche, Seon in VI.1979
(2-1)-(2-4) Recorded at the Evangelische Kirche, Seon in VIII.1978
(2-5)-(2-8) Recorded at the Evangelische Kirche, Seon in XII.1978
(2-5)-(2-8) Recorded at the Evangelische Kirche, Seon in I&IV.1979
Producer: Gerd Berg
Balance Engineer: Johann-Nikolaus Matthes
192kHz/24bit remastering from the original analogue master tapes

Download from ausfile.com: