Schubert - Chamber works
Even more than his symphonies, Schubert's string quartets divide into early and late, with
... more
nothing in-between. This set gives you the last three quartets, plus the two quintets: you'll need a supplementary disc of the Quarttetsatz (No. 12), but that's a small omission when the level of performances is as good as it is here. The Alban Berg Quartet make the most of No. 13's dark lyricism, and go for the jugular in No. 14--the famous Death and the Maiden, after the song which forms the basis for the slow movement's variations. No. 15 is orchestral chamber music with a vengeance--it's opening movement has a physical power which the ABQ doesn't underestimate. The Trout Quintet, with Elizabeth Leonskaya the characterful soloist, is among the most relaxed and carefree of chamber works, while the String Quintet is essentially Schubert's testament: a monumental piece of musical thinking, profound in its emotional depth. Heinrich Schiff joins the ABQ in a performance of real intensity, making so much more of the music than simply playing the note. An inspiring set. --Richard Whitehouse
Advantages: Haunting, passionate music to get lost in. Disadvantages: It's classical and this puts people off before they even try it.
...It is entirely due to Floon’s enthusiastic review of Schubert’s Quintet that I am writing this. I was browsing the classical reviews seeking some recommendations to try and happened upon this. I only have one example of Schubert in my collection (Rosamund) and quite enjoy it so thought I would give this a go too. So off to the Library I went and returned clutching The Raphael Ensemble’s superb rendition of the String quintet. Oh joy – Oh heaven I seem to have hit the jackpot of chamber music.
Schubert’s life is the quintessential example of the romantic notion of the neglected genius who dies in obscurity. An entire generation passed before his most substantial achievements even saw the light of day. The quintet is among them. It was one of his last works written only weeks before he died at such a tragically young age of 31.
Although...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Music to take you beyond this world Disadvantages: Needs a bit of patience
...for a harpsichord player called Goldberg to play to his employer, a minor nobleman who suffered from insomnia. You or I might nowadays turn on the radio to help us to sleep; the nobleman sent for Goldberg.
Chamber music is just music for a small number of instruments – anything from one to ten or so. The work I want to convince you is worth your while this time is the String Quintet by Schubert. Right – let me guess: your eyes have glazed over and you’re wondering why you even read this far! It’s the label thing again: if I’d called it Franz Meets His Maker you might have been slightly less put off. Just bear with me, OK?
******Franz Schubert…******
Poor Schubert lived a short life: born 1797, snuffed out in 1828 by syphilis, which dominated the last four years of his life. Yet in his thirty-one years he wrote around a thousand works, including...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Sublime, soulful songs by Schubert Disadvantages: Sung in German
...The Music
This is the first of two albums of Schubert’s Lieder composed for piano and voice. Schubert composed the music to the work of such classical poets including, Goethe, Collins and Shakespeare.
Each Lied tells a story of its own. The lyrics are sung in German but a translation is included in the cover.
I won't give a track by track listing of the CD as this is easily available but will mention some of my personal favourites.
1. Lieder: Die Forelle: The Trout (Schubert)
A playful a cheerful tale of a trout's journey through a stream. Most people will know and love Schubert's piano quintet also entitled The Trout.
5. Lieder: Heidenröslein: Wild Rose (Goethe)
A serious ode to the beauty of the wild rose.
6. Lieder: Wandrers Nachtlied II: Wanderers Night song (Goethe)
A tranquil tale of a man wandering through the deserted and quiet...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
helpful 07.05.2004
Compare Schubert: Chamber Works to other similar Classical
28.09.2003
07.05.2004
