I was going to start a thread on these quartets as they are some of the most important pieces for me personally. I had the pleasure of acquiring the Emerson Quartet's recording of the whole Beethoven cycle.
The recording quality is some of the best I have heard in chamber music. Having recorded a chamber music CD, I know how hard it is to get it right, but they did. The sounds are natural and not pressed without the sibilant edge that you get sometimes with string quartets. However, the detail is stunning and the recording is not dull. The ensemble sounds like a truly homogenous (sp?) ensemble.
The ensemble and music making are the best that I have ever heard on any CD. The quartet truly functions as a unit and the flexibility they show as a group is truly breath taking.
They also play with incredible energy and artistry. What is so remarkable is that they do this as an ensemble and not as four great players who play well together. The difference is subtle, but for someone who is in this business, I have never heard a group take it to this level before.
When I put the first CD into listen to, I was completely blown away. I had that, WOW factor, and concluded that I have never heard a performance at this level before.
I have talked to a lot of my string player colleagues and they say that the Emerson Quartet is truly special. Although the Alban Berg and Takacs Quartets were also mentioned in those dicussions.
Anyway, the Emerson Beethoven cycle is my deserted island pick for all-time favorite recording.
I will try and show a little more enthusiasm next time I post.
dshea