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

Budapest Quartet Beethoven Middle Quartets 1951-52

Earlier today someone asked me if I were going to do a Halloween post. As I was already working on these Budapest early 50's recordings of the Beethoven middle quartets, I will simply say, as a nod to All Souls eve, that it is downright scary that these fine and famous recordings are not on CD.

Bridge records has a set of the group doing the middle quartets in live performances dating 1940-1960, but I have been unable to find this Columbia commercial set, performances which for many set the standard for the time. One link promised to bring me to a site that had these performances in digital format, but the link led to a German photographic site, so I plowed forward with my own restorations.

If I can find the early and late quartets from this early fifties essay, I will put those up too. At present I have only the later stereo version of those works by the Budapest.

Have a bewitching time listening to these justly famous recordings.

Link to all files