There are several other fine recordings of these two remarkable quartets–not nearly as many as there should be–and they all include additional works that may entice some listeners to choose their fuller programs over this 49-minute recital. But that would be a mistake, for these performances by the Juilliard Quartet are exceptional in their refinement and detail, their vibrant ensemble character, and, especially in the First quartet, their respectful attention to Ives’ thematic material, never artificially punching up the spontaneous hymn-tune bits nor overworking the more integrated developmental passages.
The very articulate playing allows unusual but essential clarity among the four parts, and the group’s Ivesian sensibility appreciates the background programmatic concept of “A Revival Service” (First quartet) and the underlying “story” of the Second quartet’s four men “who converse, discuss, argue, fight, shake hands, shut up–then walk up the mountainside to view the firmament!”, but always celebrates each work’s most compelling musical attributes.
Although the First quartet was written in 1896, not untypically for Ives’ music its premiere wasn’t until many decades later–in 1957. The Juilliard’s recording followed only nine years after, in 1966–the Second quartet was recorded the following year. But there’s a dynamism and freshness in the playing–complemented by sound that’s just slightly dry enough to give the strings a nice vibrant edge–that surpasses all subsequent readings on disc.
The Emerson Quartet renditions (DG) are not only often faster, but the interpretations have an overtly academic character in the all-too-conspicuous articulation and phrasing. The Lydian Quartet’s (Centaur) fine enough performances are dulled just a bit by the acoustic; the Blair Quartet’s (Naxos) readings are very good, the best of the modern recordings of these two unique–and extremely different quartets. But whether you already have or eventually want more than one version, the Juilliard’s Ives should not be missed. [10/15/2010]
