Average Customer Review:
 ( 36 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
78 of 80 found the following review helpful:
the Art of PerfectionDec 05, 2004
By philvscott
Bach's ultimate composition has so often been described as cerebral that it's inclined to put a casual listener off. Much as I admire Charles Rosen's piano recording, for example, I find it's not uncommon for the mind to wander off somewhere around the halfway mark. Perhaps it's the strings' ability to project a lyrical line, but I find the Emerson Quartet gripping from beginning to premature end, and after living with this CD for a while, the work makes more sense to me. The Art of Fugue is a monumental piece of art: like a great sculpture, it simply exists, and as a listener you may bring to it as much or as little as you like without affecting its integrity. Unlike, say, a Mahler symphony, it does not demand complete emotional commitment (except from the performers, which it definitely gets here)- and yet, when the music just stops mid-stream at the point where Bach supposedly died, the shock is greater than any number of Mahlerian hammer blows.
Beautifully recorded, sensitively played and, to descend to earth for a moment, I notice it's also discounted. Perfect.
67 of 72 found the following review helpful:
IN A WORD: "SMOOTH"Jul 15, 2004
By NotATameLion
If one word could sum up this performance it would be "smooth." I have come late to the recordings of the Emerson String Quartet. This has to be among this very worthwhile group's best.The Art of the Fugue is, if not my favorite piece by Bach, then certainly high on the short-list. This is music fully realized--with an almost mystic greatness. Les Violins du Roy and the Delme Quartet (in Robert Simpson's arrangement) have both done great chamber versions of the work. This recording by the Emerson Quartet is well at ease in such lofty company. This recording lets the music speak for itself. It does so brilliantly. The crystal clear sound quality works hand in hand with the performance. Everything here is evenhanded and well judged. This is pulled off without any loss of the music's passion, fire, or insight. I cannot recommend this version of Bach's last great work highly enough. If you are considering getting a copy, do not hesitate.
17 of 18 found the following review helpful:
 Jet Age FuguesAug 13, 2008
By Paul D.
The Emerson Quartet are the last word is modern, slick string quartet groups. Their extremely streamlined sound works very well sometimes, othertimes not. Their recording are usually worth a listen, and usually rank high with the Gramophone, Penguin & BBC critics, but I often find I enjoy other quartets more in given works, and have often traded in for different versions. Too often, they're just too slick. In this case, that slickness works in just the right way.
My other string quartet version is a magnificent one by The Juilliard Quartet, their approach being completely different from the present set. The Juilliard perform this work, solemnly, deeply, and slowly, as if played in a cloister, or the medieval room at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It seems as if they've tried to make their quartet have the aural identity of a combo of viols (which is another good choice for this work, see the album by Fretwork, or parts of Jordi Savall's conception). If you're in the right frame of mind, and see this work as primarily a communion with the higher power, or a last throwback to the days of Sainte Columbe and Marin Marais, it would be hard to top this. I think one of this quartets best records.
In comparison, The Emersons provide a soundtrack for an art deco streamlined railway journey...their tempos are consistantly faster, with more sprite in their steps. The work certainly is EASIER to listen to this way, especially complete in one sitting. Their blend is smooth, they play wonderfully, but do lack the gravitas brought to the room by The Juilliards, or The Delme Quartet on Hyperion (in an edition prepared by Robert Simpson). But since this is a rather difficult work, and repetitive, The speed of the group gets to the point of each matter, choosing not to dwell on man's place in the universe, but to present a great piece of music for all to ENJOY! I would ultimately offer The Emersons as a first choice for newcomers to the work (although an orchestral transcription, by say Nevill Marriner & ASMF, might be the best intro, since the reputation of this, Bach's last work, is daunting), and to be listened to before getting to The Juilliards (recorded in 1987, released in '92 on cd). But both records are really excellent!
22 of 25 found the following review helpful:
Stunningly SublimeJan 01, 2005
By T. Hudock
"tomnyc"
It's hard to express in words the emotional connection this recording makes. The extraordinary playing by the Emerson on this CD makes these works by Bach come alive in a way like I've never heard before. This is a moving and poetic recording, and you'll swear you can hear oboes and trumpets coming from only four string instruments. What can I say, I was completely blown away by this truly sublime and perfect recording. Emerson Quartet is just amazing.
20 of 23 found the following review helpful:
Sublime Stuff from the Emerson String QuartetJul 19, 2004
By Alan Craig
Here we have yet another wonderful recording from the Emerson String Quartet. This time they bring their unique performing feel to the music of J.S. Bach in one of his final expressions of music "The Art of Fugue". Most performances of this work have what can only be described as a totally intellectual feel to them, this recording is quite different in the fact that the Emersons bring a feeling of humanity to the work. The final piece performed as a close to the work is the Chorale "Before Thy throne do I come now." BWV 668a is one of Bach's final thoughts It is a fitting close to this work, which is a fitting close to Bach's musical life. The recording done by Deutsche Grammaphon is warm, intimate, yet with just enough feel of the room to keep it from sounding "boxy" Hearing this work in a chamber setting helps the listener follow the various paths and trails that Bach put together to show us his little garden or park where we can imagine following him around as he shows us the way. Bach's music can be quite an adventure of exploration, The Art of Fugue is his map to perhaps what has been called "The Undiscovered Country". I suggest getting this CD and making the journey with him as often as possible. Is this recording the last word on the subject? No, but it is one of the finest ones to come along in a long time. Highly recommended.
See all 36 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 36 reviews
