Guarneri Quartet Plays Beethoven (vaimusic.com)

[egadkaffkaff]

Very nice men, too. I had the privilege of attending an open rehearsal they held in the common room of my dorm at Harpur during the 1967-68 school year. Serious music, but very engaging with the students. At one point, while speaking to the students, David Soyer casually put his cello on his knee and strummed it. They stayed around after the rehearsal to chat. I played knock-hockey with Michael Tree (not sure he had played before). I was very conscious of not hitting his hand!

[raoultak]

Can it be better? Guess not. No, it can't be better........!

[cherilynreimers]

Guarneri has been noted as the best performers of Beethoven quartets of all time; they know the pieces inside out and place every single note where they're supposed to go and play them to their fullest potential with impeccable phrasing, in the exact way Beethoven intended. I wouldn't be surprised if these guys dedicated their playing careers to perfecting these quartets, and they definitely did them justice.

[Elainelps0421]

Michael Tree is Samuel Applebaum's son - I've had the honor of meeting Mr. Applebaum, but I have never heard this fine quartet play, unfortunately.

[Elainelps0421]

I wonder how Mr. Steinhardt spends his days in retirement? Does his miss the quartet days?

[6664818GGG]

To my ear (which, admittedly has no formal training) this quartet was simply the best on Beethoven's "middle" and "late" quartets. A good two strides ahead of their nearest competitor. Gregory Gibbs

[BobAcoustic]

Wow,... I'm drained....



[karlwinkler66]

I saw them play this piece live in '86 or so and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever heard or seen. Truly incredible. They were an inspiration for me. They brought an energy to the performance that is rarely equaled.

[Kameelyun]

Forever remembered, Mr. Soyer.

-adam syed

[amanofsoup]

RIP David Soyer!!! I saw them when they were far past their prime, last year I think? They were still fantastic

[avaleoo]

What a fantastic recording! And the music that quartet makes is beyond description. I am sad I never had the opportunity to hear them live before they retired.

[davidgee100]

Enjoy it, folks. It's the best there is and the best there was.

[empoleon9999]

I saw a piano trio play at the New School of Music and I think I might have seen Michael Tree after the performance. However, being the only minor there, I was afraid to engage him in conversation and I didn't even know that he was Michael Tree until now. I wish I had talked to him, though. His playing is incredible.

[shintee]

is it just me or is the sound diff for this video than previously??

[gabogenio7]

Sin broncas este puede ser el mejor cuarteto del mundo.

[shintee]

it's funny! all of them have their own unique playing way. cool!

[gustavyeung]

I once watched a documentary of theirs. In a scene they were discussing about interpretation and I felt they were about to have a fight...

[shintee]

oh ya oh ya! I read Arnold Steinhardt's Indivisible by Four and he mentioned something like that :)

[kammermusiken]

Michael Tree is staring into the notes like mad - I was afraid being the only person doing this.

[dfxr808]

Actually, that's how Michael looks when he plays, period.

[Dobrib]

Gorgeous!TY

[paulostroff99]

As good a quartet as ever there was! Bravo!

TY James for this virtuoso recording!

[galaxyrainguy]

Better than mine. This performance is virtuosity right in front of your eyes.

[alvarobitran]

Guarnieri:

El mejor cuarteto de la historia...

[ellegin88]

micheal tree is incredible..

[vegieviola]

Amazing quartet! Amazing tempo!

[mwidzinski]

love it!

[JillZMViolinist]

yay real quartet playing!

[jylcello]

What a powerful quartet!

[katerinavander]

Energising!