29 March 2015

Busch Quartet play... Brahms. String Quartet op.67, Piano Quartet op.25 (Rudolf Serkin) - Columbia 1949

Johannes Brahms:
Piano Quartet in G minor, op.25   
I: Allegro ~ II: Andante ~ III: Agitato (Allegretto non troppo) ~ IV: Poco Allegretto con Variazioni
FLAC  Mega Download

String Quartet in B flat major, op.67
I: Allegro ~ II: Intermezzo (Allegro ma non troppo) ~ III: Andante con moto - Animato ~ IV: Rondo alla zingarese (Presto)
FLAC  Mega Download

Rudolf Serkin, piano  - The Busch Quartet (Adolf Busch, Bruno Straumann, Hugo Gottesmann, Hermann Busch)
EMI World Records  SHB 61  (1980: 7LP - sides 1/2/11/12)   Transfers by Keith Hardwick.  Recording data in above post.   EMG reviews >>>  
 


12 comments:

  1. Nice to see you uploading your wonderful transfers again.

    Bittertea

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    1. Glad they are still OK!
      The stroke interrupted some long-overdue re-jigging of various turntables: some not previously used; so as that work can't be completed for now, I used the first I'd done - for convenience...though may use a different cartridge for the remaining 4LP's of pre-war recordings. The performances are really fine - so look forward to hearing those shortly - especially as the LP surfaces, apart from some work done on the 78 parts of op.67, were so flawlessly silent..

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  2. Thanks for these latest Busch recordings. The performances are obviously great . I find the sound quality amazingly high given the age of the originals. Many thanks.How goes your recovery?

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    1. "Stiff little fingers" being the main problem - so can't do (safely) some cartridge installation - or LP cleaning.(just been watching a video of some Loricraft machine/s -
      getting on for $2000 my method is .0002 cents..but which I really should have as now likely will have additional problems with my wet-method - hence these uploads from uncontaminated discs bought last year...and will try some more bids on additional EMI 'historical' boxes - mostly I have vocal/s left - except for the Schnabel/Beethoven sets+ Delius/Beecham.
      One LP I'd like to upload here is the original 1953 Columbia 33CX pressing of Arrau/Ormandy in Beethoven PC 3 - which is remarkably natural-sounding for 1947 - taped.

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  3. Thank you, excited to hear these...thanks as well for your earlier recent upload, as well as for simply continuing 'working for free' through adversity. Don't want to say anything more trite, but hopefully things are starting to look better for you!

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    1. The problem with 'things getting better' is that some underlying defect (such as unsteadiness/lack of balance) may shortly become more obvious.

      I'm not exactly flogging myself with these uploads - this post took only slightly longer than the actual playing-time..but maybe some 'negative' aspect to the transfer-quality can be heard?
      I've listened to more LP's via this 'rig' - and they sound neutral/balanced - but with a relative lack of 'excitement' compared to before..(the Delius post) which may/may not be a defect....???

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    2. Well, to my ears, having now listened to these also, your last three posts have a remarkable homogenuity of sound, which is indeed a wonderful thing the sound being what it is! So, personally i don't notice the lack of excitement or it doesn't bother me. What i really like is the 'dryness' and detail in the sound.

      Many thanks, was looking forward to hearing these, like i said, and was not disappointed! And you have my best wishes along with a place in my prayers.

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    3. Well..that's my impression - of 'cohesiveness' across the spectrum (as I mentioned in a comment on the Schubert post, previous).
      Other cartridges can sound exciting due to resonances/distortion/excess treble - but as the SME III tonearm has a reputation for being 'relaxed' (with very subtle detailing possible) - I am concerned the combination may be a bit too lacking in some aspects...ie, a loss of 'information'?
      However, in a week, or two, will fit the diamond-cantilevered Dynavector D17D2 into this, or another arm/deck, and I know that's neutral - but at least 10 times the cost..so should be better for information-retrieval....but may anyway complete the Brahms box with this 'cheapy' (actually, the original M97HE stylus is now very rare/expensive!).

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    4. There's nothing wrong with the sound of these from my point of view, but sounds as if you expect something that should be there technically which you're not hearing in the transfer. Interesting - but it seems 'us', your customers, aren't qualified to give an opinion, sorry! ;)

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  4. FYI, you have the keys reversed on the webpage. Op. 25 is in G minor, no?

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    1. At least someone was paying attention....

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