Budapest Quartet plays Debussy and Ravel: 1940 recording

Budapest String Quartet

Debussy / Ravel Quartets 

1940

 I've been meaning to get this up for ages. If the very different 1960's Juilliard recording is my desert island choice for these works, I've always been very fond of this gutsy performance by the Budapest.  I hope I have managed to do justice to the very good sound from the 1940's (in this pressing from the '50's).  Pristine classical has issued it, probably from a cleaner source the I have, though my LP is in quite good shape for a well-played vintage record.  As I have said before, give them a listen and if you like the performances but would prefer a professional transfer, Pristine classical is still available.  There is something special about the Budapest's take on the works in these performances - less French, perhaps, than some might like, but beautifully executed.

All files, Flac, MP3, and cover art can be found here: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/70pqbncwwoht3/Budapest+St.+Quartet.+Debussy+Ravel.+1940

Menuhin, Kenter, Cassado play Ravel Trio / Mozart Trio

For me, this is THE recording of the Ravel trio. It is played with a refinement and palette of tonal color that one rarely encounters in any music, and is a pure pleasure to hear. The instrumentalist's understanding of each other results in a performance that is profoundly controlled, in spite of an overarching sense of improvisational abandon, and beautifully phrased throughout. It is an effort between musical peers with deep sympathy for each other, for the score, and for the arts of instrumental color. After all these years, nothing has replaced it in my affections.

Link to all files