This is one of those performances though great you'd never expect to come out on CD (and in the states didn't since DG didn't want another version to compete with the other one already on their label by the Emerson Quartet- who incidentally are dull as dish water compared to these guys). From the opening measure of the first quartet one becomes immediately aware that this group literally and figuratively has this music in their blood. Those who love these works or Bartok in general are strongly encouraged to consider this idiomatically incomparable, stylish, and truly important set.