Sunday, March 11, 2018

Beethoven: String Quartet in Am, op 132 - Fine Arts Quartet [Concert-Disc M-1241] an LP released in the US in 1964

We have here a fine and enjoyable rendition of this quartet by the venerable Fine Arts Quartet, recorded by the label Concert-Disc. If I am not mistaken, the label was originally called Webcor Tapes, but then eventually changed its name to Concert-Disc and still later was purchased by Everest which wound up being swallowed by one of the two or three big conglomerate record companies.

 The Fine Arts Quartet (which is still in existence today -- albeit with different members, the way the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or Manchester City Football Club continue on despite personnel changes) was well known at this time (late 1940s through the late 1960s) for its especially clean and straight forward, seemingly effortless interpretations. I enjoy their entire Beethoven cycle, which was eventually released on multiple releases, three smaller box sets, and finally a big 9-LP box.

 The cover suggests this quartet is in B flat yet the labels claim it is in Am. I believe the labels have it correct.







24bit, 96kHz mono FLAC file (677 MB)

16bit, 44.1kHz mono FLAC file (192 MB)

320kbps mp3 mono file (98 MB)

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4 comments:

  1. RichardMarch 14, 2018 at 2:36 PM

    I accidentally erased a comment from user "centuri" which is as follows:

    Many thanks for your blog that I just discovered.
    Amazing rarities.
    Among others, the Bartok/Serly is an absolutely fantastic document

    ReplyDelete
  2. centuriMarch 15, 2018 at 12:48 AM

    Thanks Richard !

    ReplyDelete
  3. sashaJune 23, 2020 at 1:47 PM

    That is actually quite funny. Perhaps hilarious a better word. OF COURSE THE QUARTET IS IN A MINOR!!! How on earth did this cover get past dozens of pairs of eyes?!? Beggars belief...Actually good to keep it that way..A whole new string quartet by Beethoven just discovered...Ha ha..Wonderful..Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  4. Francisco Ortiz ArchilaSeptember 17, 2021 at 6:13 PM

    Muchas gracias amigo, muy bello, saludos.

    ReplyDelete

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