The greatest and most difficult Schubert quartet realized here with almost alarming technical perfectionism but never at the expense of spontaneity. Equal contributions from all four players - no weaknesses!
Ah Schubert. Why didn't you live for 100 years? I have played this. It is impossible to describe how hard it is and how exhausting. You could see that at the end on their faces. They gave me goose bumps. Stunning.
This was a volcano of knowledge, especially about the Human Condition, all its suffering, and perpetual search -- usually fruitless -- for something above and beyond --- to know God. That he was a powder keg of so much emotion and Brilliance that compelled him to set forth such unimaginable Musical Artform. He made all of this extraordinary body of work, ALL OF IT in his youth and brief lifespan of only 31 years before he succumbed to his end. Life is ephemeral and unforgiving. I am blown away by this.
Such a perfect performance of a truly attention-grabbing quartet. This is why Schubert is in the pantheon of composers. And why Esme Quartet has its reputation as world class!
There are not enough superlatives to describe, adequately, the excellence of this performance. As a player I know that not only do the technical demands of this wonderful work require great virtuosity, but also the physical demands on the players are immense. For any group to sustain both to this degree, as has the Esme Quartet in this performance, deserves the highest praise. Thank you!
People who offer comments on RU-vid performances often helpfully give the time-codes for passages that have particularly impressed and delighted them. In the case of this Esmé performance, I would recommend the passage from 00.00 to 45.33.
This is a marvelous performance in every way! The technical perfection of this profound and physically strenuous work is absolutely world class. I also appreciate the gorgeous perfectly judged use of rubato at strategic points. Great respect for these people!
The most powerfully gripping performance of this quartet I have ever heard. Marvelous music making by an outstanding quartet of musicians. Thank you! Thank you!
Were it possible to choose a single favourite string quartet - which of course it isn't - this would be mine for many reasons. That might also apply to the Esme. Performance is visual as well as aural and the Esme present unity of style in both. This was a passionate and enjoyable performance, beautifully detailed where necessary and progressively unified to its last chords. Loved it!
At 42:13 you can actually see the violinist shoot a furtive glance at the camera as if to ask 'is this not simply the greatest ever quartet - even better than Beethoven's op. 132?'
Leider ist das weder makellos noch immer einfühlsam. Es ist ziemlich steril, cleen, totgeübt oder perfektionistisch, aber spricht nicht an, ist nicht beseelt.
