Vegh Quartet Performs Kodály and Smetana String Quartets (1954)

Description

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KODÁLY String Quartet No. 2, Op. 10

SMETANA String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, “From My Life”
Recorded 27-31 July 1953, West Hampstead Studios, London
Total duration: 46:25

Vegh Quartet

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The Vegh Quartet play Czech Quartets

XR-Remastered for finest sound quality

This recording was originally presented to Pristine Classical by Dr. John Duffy for inclusion in our Pristine Exclusives streamed audio service playlist. A fine recording, it had won great plaudits upon its release in 1954, and was double-starred in the 1955 issue of The Record Guide, their highest accolade.

However, time moves on, and I felt that the original sound was perhaps somewhat veiled and might benefit from a little XR remastering. I quickly put together a rough remastering and sent this across the Internet to Dr. Duffy. The title of his response – “Revelation” – says it all, and I decided this recording really merited a full release.

Taking Dr. Duffy’s transfer as my source, I then proceeded to produce a full XR Ambient Stereo master. This proved more time-consuming than I had expected – not only did the high-precision re-equalisation lift a veil from the performers, it also exposed the inevitable weaknesses in the medium – mid-50’s vinyl, which then required further restoration over and above that which Dr. Duffy had already so expertly dealt with.

The result, I feel, is a triumph – both musically and in performance – and also as a joint restoration effort. Decca’s reputation for high quality recordings was rightly lauded, and this is an excellent example of that. Very highly recommended recordings of some little-known but excellent chamber music.

Andrew Rose

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KODÁLY String Quartet No. 2, Op. 10

SMETANA String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, “From My Life”
Recorded 27-31 July 1953, West Hampstead Studios, London
Issued as Decca LXT2876
Transfer and restoration from US London LP LL-865 by Dr. John Duffy
Additional XR remastering by Andrew Rose at Pristine Audio, October 2008
Cover artwork based on a photograph of Zoltán Kodály
Total duration: 46:25

Vegh Quartet:
Sándor Végh, violin
Sándor Zöldy, violin
Georges Janzer, viola
Paul Szabo, cello

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