Schubert: "Trout" Quintet; "Death and the Maiden" Quartet

classical music: Schubert: "Trout" Quintet; "Death and the Maiden" Quartet | Josef Merz, Martin Lovett, ...

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Introduction Film Black & Decker HCC... Schubert: "Trout" ...

	Schubert: "Trout" Quintet; "Death and the Maiden" Quartet Josef Merz, Martin Lovett, ... Polygram Records, 1990 average customer review:based on 1 review view larger image
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The Trout Quintet takes its name from its variation movement, in which Schubert plays with the principal tune from his song of the same name. The piece actually belongs to the long, illustrious tradition of the Viennese serenade, a fact indicated by Schubert's somewhat eccentric scoring for piano and strings, including a double bass. This largest member of the string family rarely appears in classical chamber music, since it's so difficult to balance its tone against that of the other instruments. Here it offers solid reinforcement of the piano's bass line, while occasionally surfacing to offer some musical comment of its own. This classic performance has recently been reissued at midprice, and along with the excellent version of the "Death and the Maiden" quartet, makes a welcome return to the catalog. --David Hurwitz

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Wonderful performances

The performances on this release are classics from the early stereo age and deserve to be heard and appreciated by anyone interested in music. The two works are rather different in mood and nature, so I guess the overall idea binding them together is the fact that they are each based on one of the composer's songs. Schubert's piano quintet might not rank among his greatest masterpieces, but is sufficiently inventive and delightfully memorable to make it something of a favorite anyway. And there is a freshness about the playing here, in particular Eschenbach's superb piano playing, to make this one of the absolutely best versions around. His partners are also providing committed performances, and the discourse between the instruments is wonderfully realized (although the recording might place the double bass a little off), but if I were to say that I have never heard a superior performance of this work, it is mostly because of the wonderfully phrased and sensitive piano playing.

The coupling is a riveting performance of the D810 string quartet; already from the very opening bars you feel the drama and tension smoldering underneath; that does not mean that the Amadeus Quartet will miss the lyrical sections - far from it, and the realization of the contrasts inherent in the work, and at the same time binding those contrasts together into an overall coherent long arch is one of the major assets of this performance. Their phrasing is wonderful, and the balance between the instruments is good. Sound quality is generally fine, though perhaps a little sharp in the quartet. This release is, in conclusion, really strongly recommended - I should perhaps mention that the 1990 incarnation of these performances was one of the first cds I bought as a kid, so it does perhaps have some particular nostaligic value as well - but I am pretty sure I am able to hear through that to a pair of genuinely wonderful performances.

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Tracks
Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ('Trout'), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114): 1. Allegro vivace | Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ('Trout'), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114): 2. Andante | Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ('Trout'), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114): 3. Scherzo. Presto | Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ('Trout'), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114): 4. Thema. Andantino - Variazioni | Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ('Trout'), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114): 5. Finale. Allegro giusto | String Quartet No. 14 in D minor ('Death and the Maiden'), D. 810: 1. Allegro con moto | String Quartet No. 14 in D minor ('Death and the Maiden'), D. 810: 2. Andante con moto | String Quartet No. 14 in D minor ('Death and the Maiden'), D. 810: 3. Scherzo. Allegro molto | String Quartet No. 14 in D minor ('Death and the Maiden'), D. 810: 4. Presto

recommendations

A choice of "Trouts" (Schubert's Trout Quintet - predigital)
The AMADEUS String Quartet...

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