Philip Peters ([log in to unmask]) wrote:

>The Italians are a bit too *charming* and *polished* for my taste but
>if you like them why not pick them up? The Alban Berg recorded the cycle
>twice IIRC, I would choose any of them over the other ones you mention.
>IMO the Vermeer and the Alexander are not on a par with either one of the
>Berg recordings nor with the Italians.  I would choose other cycles if I
>were to pick my favourites though.

I certainly wouldn't prefer either of the Alban Berg's traversals to
the Italians - they are a bit to smooth for my liking, particularly in
the studio set (the first).  The live set has something of a rough edge
which I like.

For a superbly-recorded, superbly-played, thoroughly insightful modern set,
the Orford Quartet on Delos (used to be a special price) are hard to beat.

deryk barker
([log in to unmask], http://www.camosun.bc.ca/~dbarker)