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I believe this was the first recording of the complete Debussy String Quartet in G minor (definitely the first electric recording), dating from early 1928. The Lener Quartet of Budapest recorded tons of chamber works for English Columbia in the '20s and '30s. Their Beethoven is (comparatively) very well known, but I think their Debussy is even better. I'm sure it's been available in a commercial LP or CD transfer, somewhere, but I don't think any is still available.

This set is from (US) Columbia Viva-tonal Set 100 (67481-D through 67484-D; matrices AX-3378-3385). The filler (side 8) is the Menuetto from Haydn's Op. 64, No. 5 D Major Quartet. The surfaces and recording are beautiful, a joy to transfer. I used only very light declicking (30% decrackle setting on ClickRepair, for those who are familiar with it), and no other noise reduction.

Here is the download link: http://www.mediafire.com/?jok1111x29jvkkg

Thanks Adam! I've downloaded these, and I know I'll enjoy your superb transfers!
Bob

It is gratifying to know that members of this forum have better musical tastes than Thomas Edison, whose views on Debussy were reported as follows :

"The Debussy fanatic thinks that because he likes Debussy, there must of course be thousands and thousands who do. He would be amazed if he knew on what a little musical island he is standing. You could hardly see it on the great musical map of the world. All the world wants music, but it does not want Debussy....."

Anyone for "I'll take you home again, Kathleen"?

Thank you, Adam.

I have also downloaded them (and some if your previous music, as well) to play on my iPod to Brunswick version of Nat's Discman to Credenza project. (http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... it=discman)

But Edison was correct in 1923 and it's still true, today - at least in the USA where most symphony orchestras are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Also, the other main American companies issued no more Debussy than Edison, in the acoustic era. Clare de Lune, the Arabesques, and Nuit d'étoiles - Victor & Columbia didn't record much more, if any.

Not that Edison had wonderful musical taste, but neither did Columbia or Victor, whose percentage of slop looks about as high as the Edison catalogue's, far as I have seen.

PS - I just counted 5 versions of "Kathleen" on Victor, just in the popular catalogue - I bet there were more on Blue & Red Seal discs!

epigramophone wrote:It is gratifying to know that members of this forum have better musical tastes than Thomas Edison, whose views on Debussy were reported as follows :

"The Debussy fanatic thinks that because he likes Debussy, there must of course be thousands and thousands who do. He would be amazed if he knew on what a little musical island he is standing. You could hardly see it on the great musical map of the world. All the world wants music, but it does not want Debussy....."

Anyone for "I'll take you home again, Kathleen"?

I'd like to think I have better musical taste than Edison, and I prefer classical music above all other types, but Debussy pretty much makes me want to either leave the room, or fall asleep in self-defense.

The average listener knows Debussy for a few pieces and no more- but that's what the average listener knows from nearly any classical composer.

bbphonoguy wrote:I'd like to think I have better musical taste than Edison, and I prefer classical music above all other types, but Debussy pretty much makes me want to either leave the room, or fall asleep in self-defense.

I guess I'm an odd bird -- I can appreciate both Debussy's String Quartet and the Seven Gallon Jug Band...(but never, ever, hip-hop).

Seriously, I can understand that you wouldn't "get" this composition with a single hearing. It took me quite awhile, but truly feel it's a masterpiece.

I have a number of the Lener's Beethoven recordings, and always find them a bit under-powered.

Comments on Debussy are subjective: I find him amazing, though yes, hard to listen too: there's so much going on. He was sui generis - but if you put in the effort, what music!

Nat wrote:I have a number of the Lener's Beethoven recordings, and always find them a bit under-powered.

Comments on Debussy are subjective: I find him amazing, though yes, hard to listen too: there's so much going on. He was sui generis - but if you put in the effort, what music!

That was the style for most quartets I've heard from that era- precise and a bit genteel. The Flonzalys are like that too, though they wake up a bit in the quintet records with Bauer and Gabrilowitsch.