Ian Crisp wrote:

>I haven't chipped in with a recommendation, mainly because I can't remember
>ever hearing a version of the Quartet for the End of Time which didn't
>bring out some new and different aspect of this wonderful piece.

Actually, after I strongly recommended the Shifrin over the Stoltzman
I pulled the Shifrin out and re-listened to it, and was disappointed
at their handling of some of the material. While I don't miss
Stoltzman's vibrato and hissing breath, the recording does have many
fine points. I forget the movement, but the one with the violin and
cello, with the "cat walking" piano in the background, was done at
a much slower tempo than is the Shifrin/Delos recording handled it,
which I think works much better (wish I had the sheet music to check
tempo markings.) And in general, they put more musicality and feeling
into it I think.

So I agree, at least of the two recordings I've heard I like them
both for different reasons.

-Dan