For years I have searched for a particular CD version of the Budapest
recordings of Beethoven's Late Quartets.  Although I now have two different
performances by the Budapest of these, (the Bridge set, which is of early
40s performances, and the Columbia Masterworks version of the later 40s,)
the one I really want is the recording made in either the late 50s or early
60s (in stereo) which was issued by Columbia as MS5 677.  I have this set
on vinyl, and have loved it for thirty years.  I also have a number of
other versions on CD, including Quartetto Italiano, Bartok Quartet, Smetana
Quartet and my most recent addition, the Lindsay String Quartet--which, by
the way, offers the most compelling recording I've ever heard of the number
15, Op 132.  I've gone so far as to write Columbia and ask if they intend
to issue that Budapest stereo version on CD, but never got a satisfactory
reply.  Anyone out there have any insight into this situation? Thanks.

Dave Wolf
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