Ah, the Takacs Quartet, heard in a very small auditorium, and we

Music Lane

It's all about the music, dude! Sit down, relax and listen to some tunes.

were seated 12 rows back.
The program? Brahms, Shostakovich, and Beethoven!
Yes, they're as excellent as their reviews would lead one to believe (the NYT one recently was very laudatory). But the Brahms was far more lively than the Beethoven and the audience felt a certain sense of... depression as the program progressed.
Anyhow, a minor quibble. The adagios are where most quartets come undone and it is here that the lyricism and tone of the Takacs shined. Don't miss them if ever they come your way!
A small audio note: the first violin didn't stand alone, in a shimmering silver haze of tone, separate from the second; the cello did not vibrate the flooring. When I closed my eyes and attempted to pinpoint the violist, it was hopeless: she was somewhere to the right (I thought) of the violins, but not yards apart.
In other words, the quartet sounded like music, as they and others like the Alban on my vintage system.
This is a clear departure from my previous "high-end" ones with their crystal clarity, formidable low-end, and laser-like placement.
Yes, it WAS entertaining and oh how many years it gave me immeasurable challenges to find a non-grating treble response without losing the "my God, did you hear his whiskers on the violin body!."
But, of course, it was a fool's journey.
Now, I worry not about anything but the music.

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Topic - Ah, the Takacs Quartet, heard in a very small auditorium, and we - tinear 04:51:12 01/30/07 (4)

Saw them do the complete Beethoven quartets over a few nights in a small theater. - sjb 11:25:09 01/30/07 (1)

An unexpected pleasure is watching them interract. The second violin is a bit of - tinear 04:47:14 01/31/07 (0)

Re: Ah, the Takacs Quartet, heard in a very small auditorium, and we - srl1 07:56:03 01/30/07 (1)

"Volume" is right... - SE 08:21:04 01/30/07 (0)

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