17 November 2009

An enlivening path to re-tread (8) -- Schubert Quintet in C major






Schubert's Quintet in C major, D.956 occupies a special place in chamber-music repertoire. It dated from the last months of Schubert's short life of 31 years, in 1828. It is difficult not to be filled with awe that the last 3 piano sonatas, the "Schwanengesang" song collection and this Quintet are among the works written in that year, when he was terminally ill.

I suppose no lovers of chamber music, or classical music at large, should be unfamiliar with this great Quintet. And I further suppose that no such persons should pass by any opportunity to listen to these 2 recordings. Both recordings reveal musicians who patiently and responsively listen to one another. The ebbs and flows are all there, but down under the surface the inner voices can clearly be heard and enjoyed. The mixture of drama, turbulence, lyricism and etherealness simply makes this Quintet a celebration of life.

It is the quintessence of chamber music not to be missed.

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