Budapest String Quartet - Plays Brahms

Facts Sony Classical is pleased to announce an exceptional new batch of reissues from the CBS/Sony and RCA Victor/BMG back catalogues. This latest instalment of the popular series showcases two of the most fascinating and provocative conductors of the last half century, as well as two legendary string quartets and some remarkable pianists playing treasures of Viennese Classicism.

Chamber music is represented by two iconic US-based ensembles. The Budapest String Quartet was American Columbia's premier quartet in the 1940s and 1950s.

In 1963 the foursome revisited the three Brahms quartets, which they had recorded triumphantly in the 78 era. "Imperious, vibrantly expressive yet finely classical way," was High Fidelity's assessment of the Budapest Quartet's way with Brahms, calling the stereo versions of the quartets "a heart-warming release in every respect".

In this new reissue, these are coupled on two CDs with the benchmark Budapest recording of the Piano Quintet with Rudolf Serkin ("One of those remarkable moments when top-flight artists are at a peak of inspiration. This is a noble rendition - monumental in scope, intellectually conceived, charged with scorching emotional intensity. It is Brahms-playing in the greatest tradition" - High Fidelity).