BACH: The Art of Fugue (Emerson String Quartet)

[Welly Wu]

Here is another recommendation: BACH: The Art of Fugue featuring the Emerson String Quartet. The level of musicianship is top drawer: easily one of the top three reference classical / chamber recordings in my entire collection. There is so much fullness and organic beauty to wooden string instruments that is well captured herein on this album. Deutsche Grammophon is the record label and it features Philip Setzer (violin), Eugene Drucker (violin), Lawrence Dutton (alto viola), and David Finckel (violoncello). It's pure DDD and was released in 2003. Simply a superb Red Book CD highlighting the complex colors of the J.S. Bach's brainchild the Fugue while maintaining the ever so delicate organic and earthy flavor of period wooden string instruments. The sense of spacious air surrounding each precisely defined image is unnerving. This record is simply a must have in its' own right and would do you well to own as a benchmark for all future (inevitable) upgrades in your Head-Fi journey. Extremely recommended!

 

[Music Fanatic]

Although I personally prefer keyboard versions of the Art of Fugue, I have to confess that this recording has especially fine engineering and creates a deep realistic effect -- I can see the players in my mind's eye.

 

[tmesis]

I've heard the Juilliard Quartet recording. I wonder how the Emerson version compares against Juilliard.

I personally think the Art of Fugue was written with the keyboard in mind. The Gustav Leonhardt recording is amazing.

 

[danaa]

After years of not altogether enjoying Bach, the Emerson recording of Art of the Fugue really turned me on to Bach. I felt very stressed out one day and put this on and voila it put me in a state of serenity. I started listening to the interplay of the instruments more and suddenly loved Bach. So, my love of his work and my library of his music is now growing exponentially.

 

[Bill Ward]

Quote:

Originally posted by Welly Wu Here is another recommendation: BACH: The Art of Fugue featuring the Emerson String Quartet. The level of musicianship is top drawer: easily one of the top three reference classical / chamber recordings in my entire collection. There is so much fullness and organic beauty to wooden string instruments that is well captured herein on this album. Deutsche Grammophon is the record label and it features Philip Setzer (violin), Eugene Drucker (violin), Lawrence Dutton (alto viola), and David Finckel (violoncello). It's pure DDD and was released in 2003. Simply a superb Red Book CD highlighting the complex colors of the J.S. Bach's brainchild the Fugue while maintaining the ever so delicate organic and earthy flavor of period wooden string instruments. The sense of spacious air surrounding each precisely defined image is unnerving. This record is simply a must have in its' own right and would do you well to own as a benchmark for all future (inevitable) upgrades in your Head-Fi journey. Extremely recommended!

Just so you'll feel responsible, I'm going to buy this recording entirely on the basis of the quoted post. Anything that engenders that kind of rapture must be worth hearing, and anyone who can post with such eloquence merits heeding.

BW

 

[Luvya]

I agree. The first time I listen to it in Borders, I was immediately amazed by the sound. It's so serene..and beautiful...I think in many ways, it's actually better than the keyboard version. Highly recommended!

 

[Vedder323]

this the album you are talkin' about?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...X0DER&st=music

 

[danaa]

That's the one I have Vedder.

 

[daycart1]

This music sounds great so long as it is played well. Having the voices separated does create a different effect. I have a nice version transcribed for various combinations of wind instruments.

I'm sure no one will regret purchasing the Emersons' version!

 

[Gergor]

Emerson's is a fine one, but hardly a definitive winner. IMO, the famous Juilliard's has more energy. The overall livelier approach makes it my favorite. On the other hand, Keller's is more elegant. So there are plenty of fine choices out there, have fun listening.

 

[Music Fanatic]

Quote:

Originally posted by Luvya I agree. The first time I listen to it in Borders, I was immediately amazed by the sound. It's so serene..and beautiful...I think in many ways, it's actually better than the keyboard version. Highly recommended!

Really? I am curious, in what ways do you feel it is better than the keyboard version?