Schubert String Quintet in C, D. 956

1. Quintet for 2 violins, viola & 2 cellos in C major, D. 956 (Op. posth. 163)
Composed by Franz Schubert
with Douglas Cummings

Schubert String Quintet in C, D. 956,Franz Schubert [composer],Lindsay String Quartet,Douglas Cummings,Asv Living Era,Chamber,Classical,Classical Composers,Classical Music,Quintet for Five String Instruments

Average customer rating: Schubert at its best sublime beauty A Great Recording Surprisingly eloquent for the Emersons, and technically a marvel Sublimely In Tune

Schubert: String Quintet in C, D. 956 Franz Schubert , and Emerson String Quartet Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rostropovich, Mstislav | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Schubert: Trout Quintet, Death and the Maiden / Amadeus Quartet Dvorák, Tchaikovsky, Borodin: Quartets Franz Schubert: Complete Trios Debussy, Ravel: Streichquartette Schumann: Op. Nos. 44 & 47 ASIN: B000001GFA Release Date: 1992-08-11

Tracks:

1. Streichquintett C-Dur D 956 (Op. Post.163): Allegro ma non troppo
2. Streichquintett C-Dur D 956 (Op. Post.163): Adagio
3. Streichquintett C-Dur D 956 (Op. Post.163): Scherzo. Presto - Trio. Andante sostenuto
4. Streichquintett C-Dur D 956 (Op. Post.163): Allegretto

Amazon.com essential recording

When not composing songs, Franz Schubert was most at home with chamber music, not because he was a miniaturist, but because his most profound thoughts were most readily contained by smaller, more concentrated ensembles. His Quintet in C--by far the great work ever written for a string quartet with an extra cello--shows him at his summit with an ethereal second movement that often communicates the sense of spiritual suspended animation that the minimalists strive for but don't often achieve. The Emerson Quartet might seem a bit edgy for this assignment, but instead, the quartet delivers one of the best recordings of its career. Instead of just being swept away by its rapturous lyricism, the quartet probes the emotional depths and meaning of the music's gestures in concentrated, deeply felt performances. The piece is clearly a particular favorite of guest cellist Mstislav Rostropovich (he has recorded it several times before), but like most good chamber players, his presence isn't heard so much as it's felt. Perhaps he is responsible for the particular warmth of this performance. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Schubert at its best.......2007-06-05

I consider this work to be found in the front rank of Schuberts work.
The melodic partwriting brings an atmosphere of tender intimacy which the musicians fully bring over. Their playing together lets me forget that they are 5 individuals but rather they give the impression as if this would be one single instrument played by one musician. You are almost ignoring the role Rostropovich plays here - he is fully integrated and does not impose himself, perhaps he motivates the four others to supreme performance but you do not notice this. Just beautiful music.

sublime beauty .......2007-05-07

the string quintet in c , d. 956 is sublimely beautiful especially the slow movements . His death and the maiden was my favourite piece of chamber music until i heard this on the radio and I was entranced by its beauty and could not wait until i had my own cd . The musicians are all truly skilled crafts men and perform this piece extremely well . Before i brought this particular cd i listened to several versions before finally settling on this particular recording . I can heartly recommend this cd to any music lover .

A Great Recording.......2007-02-01

The Quintet of Franz Schubert has long been considered a masterpiece yet there is no evidence that it was performed during his lifetime. In fact, little is known about the composition of the Quintet apart from it being mentioned in a letter Schubert wrote to the publisher H. A. Probes. The first performance took place in November 1850.

The first movement contains themes of soaring beauty and power while the slow movement is serene for the most part with passionate outbursts. The Scherzo begins with a brilliant heroic theme followed by a beautifully reflective Trio and the Finale starts with a dance-like melody and moves fairly quickly on to more serene and reflective music returning to the original melody.

This is a superb recording of the Quintet by the Emerson String Quartet with Mstislav Rostropovich as playing the second cello part. The performance is one of great sensitivity and is beautifully recorded. The only problem is that the disc times out at 53:29. The recording was made during a gala concert commemorating the 125th anniversary of BASF AG but one wonders if DG could not have included some other work to better fill out the disc.

Surprisingly eloquent for the Emersons, and technically a marvel.......2006-12-28

There are deeply eloquent recordings of the Schubert C Major Quintet from the Casals Festival in mono and from Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma and friends in stereo (both on Sony) that outstrip this version by the Emersons and Rostropovich. It's the Emersons' way with Romantic works to offer clean, disciplined, and incredibly smooth-voiced readings. As applied here, the quintet sounds absolutely fresh and astonishingly unanimous and in tune (I'm surprised by the misplaced ciriticms of a reviewer below, who seems to feel that pitch and intonation are two different things). Despite all the remarkable precision on display, there's more heart in the playing than in the other Schubert I've heard from this group (their only failing being that the heartbreaking poignancy of the slow movement seems rather dispassionate here).

I agree with those who call this one of the best recordings from the Emerson Qt. and a triumph for the DG engineers--each instrument is caught with great fidelity and balanced beautifully with the others. Given that this masterwork calls for as much emotional depth as any musician can find, I was a little tempted to withold the fifth star, but I doubt that there has ever been a recording as techniclly flawless as this one, so full honors are well deserved.

Sublimely In Tune.......2006-12-10

This piece is, in my opinion, one of the great glories of Western civilization. I have known it half my life and I have never heard a finer recorded performance than the present one. The sound is very attractive, a clear deliniation of each voice, and the combined clarity and translucence of the whole without a single distraction. The Emerson Quartet is unmatched by any other, and in this recording, the angels attend their playing. I can't remember enjoying a recording this much in a long time.

Average customer rating: inspired performance !!!

The Story of Schubert Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Impromptus | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Fantasies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Fantasies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Story Of Chopin In Words And Music The Story of Beethoven The Story of Mozart The Story of Bach The Story of Tchaikovsky ASIN: B000001KCT Release Date: 1994-02-28

Tracks:

1. Rosamunde, D. 797: Overture
2. Mozart: String Quartet In B-Flat Major, K. 172
3. Marche Militaire, D. 733, No. 1
4. Hark, Hark, The Lark!, D. 889
5. Mass No. 5 In A-Flat Major, D. 678: Credo
6. Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485: Allegro
7. Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, D. 417 'Tragic': Finale: Allegro
8. Moment Musicaux No. 3 In F Minor, D. 780
9. Piano Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: Moderato
10. The Erl King, D. 328
11. Symphony No. 2 In B-Flat Major, D. 125: Allegro
12. Symphony No. 6 In C Major, D. 589 'Little': Andante
13. Symphony No. 6 In C Major, D. 589 'Little': Scherzo
14. To Music, D. 547
15. The Trout, D. 550
16. Piano Quintet In A Major, D. 667 'Trout': Theme And Variations
17. Octet In F Major, D. 803: Finale
18. Impromptu In B-Flat Major, D. 935 No. 3
19. String Quintet In C Major, D. 956: Allegro ma non troppo
20. Wanderer Fantasy In C Major, D. 760
21. Symphony No. 8 In B Minor, D. 759 'Unfinished': Allegro moderato
22. Symphony No. 9 In C Major, D. 944 'Great': Andante-Allegro ma non troppo
23. Mass No. 6 IN E-Flat Major, D. 950: Gloria
24. String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D. 810 'Death And The Maiden': Andante con moto
25. Symphony No. 8 In B Minor, D. 759 'Unfinished': Andante
26. Ave Maria, D. 839
27. Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Allegro
28. Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Andante con moto
29. Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Menuetto: Allegro molto
30. Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

inspired performance !!!.......2001-09-02

this collection deserves more than 5 stars.peter maag and the philharmonica hungarica are in top form.this is the best ever of schubert's fifth and eigth i have ever listened to.it is not karl bohm or leonard bernstein or george szell or lorin maazel.
truly the hungarians inspired by maag easily beat all the other top orchestras.
the orchestral texture is transparent with a perfect balance among the string sections ,the woodwind and the brass sections.peter maag obviously loves this music and brings out the heavenly beauty ,the pathos and the monumental dramatic quality of these works.
just listen to schubert's fifth second movement which ends with a heart rending cello phrase.
it is a shame that the well established record companies have not thought it fit to record more of peter maag.in my opinion he is one of the greatest ever conductors.
i will not exchange these performances for any other!

Average customer rating: FULL APPRECIATION

Schubert: The Late String Quartets; String Quintet Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Emerson String Quartet | ( E ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Beethoven: The Late String Quartets Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Emerson String Quartet Mozart: String Quartets Nos. 14 - 23 Shostakovich: The String Quartets ASIN: B0001ZWGI8 Release Date: 2004-06-15

Customer Reviews:

FULL APPRECIATION.......2007-03-20

Until this bargain priced recording on three discs of the Emerson Quartet playing Schubert`s last four string quartets (included also is the String Quintet in C major, D956 featuring Rostropovich on cello), down through the years, I really did not have too much of an appreciation for Schubert's Quartets # 12, 13, 14, 15. For some reason their beauty eluded me. Now, with this recording, I love the works especially the #15 in G major. It is indeed filled with drama, pathos and great beauty. I don't think I can blame this "new found" appreciation on any maturation on my part. I really believe, it's soley due to the exquisite playing of the Emerson Quartet. They really play these works not like they are "walking on eggshells" but with vigor, passion and beauty. Also, I'm sure, that the wonderful recorded sound helped in my appreciation too.

I plan on seeking out more Schubert performed by the Emerson Quartet--they are so very good!!

Average customer rating: A highly polished reading Best Rendition of Favourite Piece The best...very Viennese...very Schubert I expecteded more from the Berg Quartett --- 3 1/2 stars

Schubert - String Quintet in C / Alban Berg Quartet · Schiff Franz Schubert , Alban Berg Quartett , Heinrich Schiff , Günther Pichler , Thomas Kakuska , and Gerhard Schulz Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Alban Berg String Quartet | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Franz Schubert: Quintet/Symphony No.5 Schubert: 24 Lieder Schubert: Piano Sonata D. 960/3 Klavierstücke D. 946 Mozart: Divertimento In E Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Sonatas nos 1 - 3 / Perlman, Ashkenazy ASIN: B00000I7WA Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
2. II: Adagio
3. III: Scherzo (Presto) & Trio (Andante Sostenuto)
4. IV: Allegretto

Amazon.com

This is an impressive reading of the quintet, notable for its energy and lyrical beauty, and cellist Heinrich Schiff certainly throws the considerable weight of his tone behind the fine, blended sound of the Alban Berg Quartet. The original 1982 recording was first-rate, and EMI's engineers have done a superb job of capturing its ambience and warm tone on this remastering in the Great Recordings of the Century series. The only drawback is that the players omit the exposition repeat in the quintet's first movement, depriving it of the "heavenly length" it should have. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

A highly polished reading.......2005-06-17

Many consider Schubert's String Quintet D956 one of the pinnacle masterpieces in the entire chamber repertoire. With its diverse emotional moods, memorable lyrical themes, and dense, rich textures from the added cello, Schubert's only string quintet is clearly a masterpiece. The Austrian Alban Berg quartet gives a plush, poised reading of this great work, worthy of a "Great Performance" accolade. Their style and sound is often described as "polished" which can be clearly heard in this recording or in their wonderful performances of Mozart's final great quartets (4-CD set on Teldec). Their precise, silky and tonally rich playing combined with very good sound quality all make for a strong choice - although the 46 minutes is a bit chinsy for one CD. Other fine performances of this great quintet to consider: the bold reading from the Emerson String Quartet with Rostropovich (DG 3-CD set with the last string quartets) or the live, spirited recording from Pamela Frank and the Marlboro Festival players (Sony).

Best Rendition of Favourite Piece.......2005-01-01

Whilst a pianist, Schubert's Quintet in C just strikes a chord with me that other music of a solo or orchestral nature simple doesn't. As such I have several recordings of this piece. This was the first one I acquired and from the tentative opening note to the swagger and aplomb of the finale it will draw you in and leave you wishing for more yet realising that more simply isn't humanly possible.

For this recording specifically the first two movements stand out - in spite of the missing repeat in the first. It is not for me to question Schubert's genius but I feel that performances of the first movements of both the Quintet and the D minor Quartet D810 'Death and the Maiden' do not lose anything from the ommission of their exposition repeats and if anything gain a feeling of progression and cohesion (particulary in D810).

There isn't a single phrase or note which feels at all out of place here - such attention to detail for a peace as long and with so many subtley repeated notes is remarkable.

The third and fourth movements whilst not nearly as substantial as the first two are played to perfection. The scherzo has power and an unrivalled intensity of conviction. The proceeding trio is reflective and brooding - the repeated chords leading to the recapitulation are fantastic and never cease to heighten the tension no matter how well I know exactly what is around the corner. The final movement is approached as one critic put it "with just the right balance of swagger and reserve" - although there is one tiny mistake which I only recently picked up at around 2"09 (How's that for pedantry!).

The sound quality is excellent and - as should be the case - won't be a consideration unless you purposely set out to analyse it.

Simply unrivalled.

Not however unchallenged at a very high level and I would also reccommend the Lindsays mid 80's version - unimpeachable sound and marvellous control across the dynamic spectrum: comes packaged with the late quartets; D810 is sublime but that's another story.

The best...very Viennese...very Schubert.......2004-10-12

Although many American concert-goers and players prefer the Emerson with Rostro, after listening to the Berg, I still prefer it. There is more idiomatic playing, with the right amount of rubato. It just seems "right". If you've played the quintet yourself, you'll really appreciate how they get the Viennese sound just right. They're Viennese after all, they should. The intonation and ensemble is just as good as the Emersons. The omission of the exposition repeat is a minor quibble. Go to a concert and I bet they don't include the repeat. If you want to hear more Schubert, hit the repeat button or listen to "Death and the Maiden".

This is the one to get.

I expecteded more from the Berg Quartett --- 3 1/2 stars.......2003-12-18

This is by no means a bad performance, and I do not intend it as a bad review. The 3 1/2 stars is a relative rating, taking into consideration the other excellent recordings the Berg Quartett has produced. Judged on its own merits, this would be in the top ten versions of the Schubert Quintet I have heard.

The problem is that I have been spoiled by the Bergs' top-notch recordings of the Beethoven Quartets. I have also heard live performances of the Schubert Quintet which far exceed the level of playing heard on this CD. I guess I came to this CD with expectations that were too high, but I cannot help but be influenced by the Berg Quartett's high standards of musicianship, and this recording left me feeling somewhat disappointed. Again, this is not a bad performance, but I would recommend the Emerson Quartet's version before I would recommend this one.

Average customer rating: Masterpiece Equally as beautiful as the book "Two Treasures of Pure Pleasure" Compulsory reading Truly Equal!

Vikram Seth: An Equal Music Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Improvisation | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: An Equal Music Bach: The Art of Fugue Two Lives From Heaven Lake: Travels Through Sinkiang and Tibet Indivisible by Four: A String Quartet in Pursuit of Harmony ASIN: B00003OO0L Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

1. Partita No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006: Preludio
2. String Quintet in C minor, op.104: Allegro con brio
3. String Quintet in C minor, op.104: Andante cantabile con variazioni
4. String Quintet in C minor, op.104: Menuetto: Quasi allegro
5. String Quintet in C minor, op.104: Finale: Prestissimo
6. Quartet in A major, op.20 no.6, Hob.III-36: Allegro di molto e scherzando
7. Quartet in A major, op.20 no.6, Hob.III-36: Adagio: Cantabile
8. Quartet in A major, op.20 no.6, Hob.III-36: Menuetto: Allegreto
9. Quartet in A major, op.20 no.6, Hob.III-36: Fuga a 3 soggetti: Allegro
10. The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 1
11. Sonata for piano and violin in E minor, K304-300c: Allegro
12. Sonata for piano and violin in E minor, K304-300c: Tempo di Menuetto
13. Quartettsatz in C minor, D703: Allegro assai

Tracks:

1. Piano Quintet In A Major, D667 'The Trout': Allegro vivace
2. Piano Quintet In A Major, D667 'The Trout': Andante
3. Piano Quintet In A Major, D667 'The Trout': Scherzo: Presto
4. Piano Quintet In A Major, D667 'The Trout': Theme & Variations: Andantino
5. Piano Quintet In A Major, D667 'The Trout': Finale: Allegro giusto
6. String Quintet in C major, D956: Scherzo: Presto - Trio: Andante sostenuto
7. 'Manchester Sonata' No. 1 for violin and piano in C major, RV 3: Largo
8. Piano Quintet In A Major, D667 'The Trout': The Lark Ascending
9. The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 1

Amazon.com

Vikram Seth's novel An Equal Music is as evocative a portrait of the world of chamber music as you could wish for, but Seth is the first to say that words "can only attempt to describe what cannot truly be described." This two-CD set adds the inevitably missing dimension to a great book, with performances of works featured in the story. They include the world-premiere recording of Beethoven's String Quintet in C minor, an obscure work that is central to the plot.

This piece, like the other selections, is beautifully played and recorded, for this is not a collection of second-rate recordings cobbled together to suit the theme. Vikram Seth himself has chosen the performances, and with performers of the stature of Iona Brown and Andras Schiff, the playing is as good as it gets. Included in the selection is Schubert's celebrated Trout Quintet. If the book gives a taste for the music, and vice versa, these CDs will also get us delving further into this delightful and infectious repertoire. --Keith Clarke

Customer Reviews:

Masterpiece.......2006-11-11

The book is a masterpiece of literature on music, and the music itself are masterpieces

Equally as beautiful as the book.......2006-03-17

A beautiful collection of music ideal for lovers of Seth's stunning novel - a perfect introduction to classical music .

"Two Treasures of Pure Pleasure".......2004-09-21

I purchased the book "An Equal Music" by Vikram Seth, not knowing that there existed a CD that was meant to accompany it. I was about a third of the way through the book, and Vikrams story was so captivating, that I longed to hear the musical pieces that his characters where so passionate about. So I set forth on a quest of my own trying to track down and put together each piece of his repertoire. During my search, I discovered this CD, purchased it, and stopped all reading until its arrival. I slipped it into the disc player, settled in with liner notes in hand, closed my eyes, and found a new appreciation and passion for the classical genre. Exceptional was track 8 of disc 2, "The Lark Ascending" composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams, an absolutely enchanting piece! Not to say that the other tracks are not of equal caliber, they are, just of a different mood.

This compilation is a brilliant companion to the book, yet alone, it stands proudly on its own merits. Bach, Beethoven, Hayden, Schubert, Vivaldi, and of course Williams are all featured on this CD, names all renowned in the world of classical music. The difference between this CD, and say another classical compilation, is that through the inspiration and support of the book, what once one could not identify nor differentiate between in the works of the above, begins to unfold with a keen grasp of each. This assemblage will definitely help you to recognize and feel each composer's unique style.

In the book, the Maggiore Quartet members expose to you, through beautifully interpreted prose, their driving passion behind performing each piece as they become consumed in each note. This caused me to listen intensely not only to each composition, but also to the individual score of each instruments harmonious part. Bringing a deeper connection with not only the characters in this book along with the featured musical selections, but also with the professional musicians themselves whose lives are music.

Mr. Seth should be commended for this creative marriage of fervent fodder. A brilliantly moving novel enhanced and brought to life through this CD. My next stop, an evening out savoring a live performance!

Compulsory reading.......2004-03-30

This amazing book MUST be read by any person who is even slightly interested in music. if you have ever been in a string quartet, you will love the way that this book perfectly captures the delicate balance of emotions within such a close kint group. the love story is alternated with lyrical and descriptive passages, often about something of little significance. The book is a rich and heartwrenching story of love, music and loss. absolutely fabulous!

Truly Equal!.......2004-02-03

Vikram Seth casts a melacholic spell with his novel. This is the first time I am reading a work of fiction woven around chamber musicians, which leads one to explore the inner workings of their thoughts.
The accompamying CD is truly marvellous. Listen to Iona Brown soar away in Vaughan Williams 'Lark Ascending'. The others are also truly 'equal'.

Average customer rating: Unmatched excellence Wow! Big names thrown together. YUM! Must be heard

Franz Schubert: Quintet/Symphony No.5 Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Tortelier, Paul | ( T ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Johannes Brahms: Sextet No. 1/Piano Trio No. 1 Encores Casals Edition - Beethoven: Complete Cello Sonatas Robert Schumann: Cello Concerto/Piano Trio No 01 Schubert - String Quintet in C / Alban Berg Quartet · Schiff ASIN: B0000029LC Release Date: 1994-02-22

Tracks:

1. Quintet in C Major, Op. 163, D - 956: Allegro ma non troppo
2. Quintet in C Major, Op. 163, D - 956: Adagio
3. Quintet in C Major, Op. 163, D - 956: Scherzo - Presto
4. Quintet in C Major, Op. 163, D - 956: Allegretto
5. Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, D - 485: Allegro
6. Symphony No. 5 in B - flat Major, D - 485: Andante con moto
7. Symphony No. 5 in B - flat Major, D - 485: Menuetto - Allegro Molto
8. Symphony No. 5 in B - flat Major, D - 485: Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

Unmatched excellence.......2006-07-16

I became familiar with this extraordinary piece of music--very possibly the single best work ever written for a string quintet--when I was 12 or so, and have loved it ever since.

While my introduction came through a live performance, I was soon listening to this very recording (by Columbia Masterworks) of the Casals Festival at Prades in July 1952 given by Isaac Stern, Alexander Schneider, Milton Katims, the incomparable Pablo Casals and Paul Tortelier.

Of course that recording, on a 32 rpm phonograph, is still in my collection. But it is so well-used that I am unsure whether the grooves are still in tact. Furthermore, I haven't heard this performance for years, given the obsolesence of 32 LPs.

I was overjoyed recently to find the recording on CD, which I thought simply wasn't available.

Now, I own three recordings of this Schubert quintet, including my original LP and this CD. (The third, also on CD, is a recording of Yo Yo Ma.)

There is no doubt about it. Casals in 1952 gave an extraordinary delivery of this extraordinary work.

If you like chamber music, strong quintets, and Schubert, you owe yourself the pleasure of owning this amazing CD. Mono schmono. The sound these artists produced exceeds the quality of any other version of this piece I've ever heard.

And that's saying something.

Wow!.......2006-07-01

There are few chamber recordings that can touch this extraordinary work. This is one that I just cannot recommend highly enough. Casals was a cellist of profound sensitivity and supreme talent who enjoyed a deep understanding of Schubert's poetic music and with this, perhaps one of the most treasured of all of Schubert's chamber works, his pure, joyful affection is obvious.

One reviewer has mentioned that some of the playing is a little scrappy in parts - perhaps so, but this is more than made up for in the musicians' emotional investment and the very special rapport they clearly have with each other.

While the Quintet is really the highlight of the CD, the exuberant and youthful performance of the 5th Symphony is well worth a listen. Under Casals' direction, the music is full of all the energy and optimism that Schubert invested when he composed it at the tender age of nineteen! This is in deliberate contrast to the Quintet which was completed only about a month before his premature death at the age of 32 and is a far more introverted, soul-searching piece of work. Listening to this you feel he must have been aware of his approaching end and this music is his way of coming to terms with its inevitability. Stretches of exquisite calm are followed by bursts of heartfelt anguish and questioning (note particularly the sublime second movement). The quintet was composed roughly around the same time that Beethoven was writing his monumental late string quartets, and though the quintet arguably does not share the majestic breadth and scale of those mighty works, there is a similar sense of intimacy, as though we are eavesdropping on the innermost thoughts of a genius as he grapples with the terrible mystery of death and notions of God. In fact, whether you believe in God or not, this, like Beethoven's late quartets, comes pretty damn close to the idea.

Bear in mind this is a mono recording from 1952, but even so, the sheer emotional power of the playing, and of the music itself, makes any such consideration pointless. You will not be able to listen to it enough.

Quite rightly, this is one of the most celebrated and best loved chamber music recordings of all time, not just of Schubert's, but of any composer's music. If you do not already have this in your collection, don't even think about it. Buy it.

Big names thrown together........2003-07-16

This is a recording of the Schubert quintet played by big name musicians like Casals, and Sasha Schneider. It has gotten very good reviews too. Unfortunately I don't find the playing that golden, particularly in the ensemble of the music which is quite rough and tumble. These musicians are like a pick-up group, and they haven't played together all that much. So they are cautious, adjusting to each other as the music unfolds. I think there are much better Schubert quintets elsewhere, for example, the Hollywood quartet with Alvin Dinkin, or the Emerson quartet with Rostropovich. Just to name two.

This CD deserves 3 and a half stars. But there's no such thing. So I gave it 4 stars.

YUM!.......2002-02-21

Pablo Casals shines in this Shubert Quintet!
Try 'Allegreto' first to clean your ears; the recording is so so (I believe it was recorded in 1953), mono and a little thick- like a telephone bandpass-, but the emotion is still intact.

I tried several other versions of the same piece, but did not find the coherence and ensemble this interpretation demonstrates. A must have (buy it two times in case you loose one!).

Must be heard.......2001-09-25

The Schubert quintet has always been one of my favorite pieces of music and this particular performance is, without a doubt in my mind, one of the greatest chamber music recordings ever.
All five performers were lengendary soloists in their day and yet they play so well together--as if all their lives had been spent playing chamber music with one another.

Average customer rating: SO MUCH THAT I WANT EVEN MORE Schubert's late chamber masterpieces Awesome music, interesting performance Schubert + Emerson = Listener Satisfaction Good but not Best

Franz Schubert: String Quartets D 804 "Rosamunde", D 810 "Death and the Maiden", D 887, D 703 and String Quintet D 956 Franz Schubert , Emerson String Quartet , and Mstislav Rostropovich Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Emerson String Quartet | ( E ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Haydn Project Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Emerson String Quartet Intimate Voices Beethoven: The String Quartets Bela Bartok: The 6 String Quartets - Emerson String Quartet ASIN: B00000I0L8 Release Date: 1999-02-09

Tracks:

1. String Quartet In A Minor, D 804, Op. 29: Allegro ma non troppo
2. String Quartet In A Minor, D 804, Op. 29: 2. Andante
3. String Quartet In A Minor, D 804, Op. 29: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
4. String Quartet In A Minor, D 804, Op. 29: 4. Allegro moderato
5. String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 'Death And The Maiden': 1. Allegro
6. String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 'Death And The Maiden': 2. Andante con moto
7. String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 'Death And The Maiden': 3. Scherzo. Allegro molto - Trio
8. String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 'Death And The Maiden': 4. Presto

Tracks:

1. String Quartet In G Major, D 887: 1. Allegro molto moderato
2. String Quartet In G Major, D 887: 2. Andante un poco mosso
3. String Quartet In G Major, D 887: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio. Allegretto
4. String Quartet In G Major, D 887: 4. Allegro assai
5. Quartet Movement In C Minor, D 703: 5. Allegro assai
6. Quartet Movement In C Minor, D 703: 6. Andante (fragment)

Tracks:

1. String Quintet In C Major, D 956: 1. Allegro ma non troppo - Franz Schubert
2. String Quintet In C Major, D 956: 2. Adagio - Franz Schubert
3. String Quintet In C Major, D 956: 3. Scherzo, Presto - Trio, Andante sostenuto - Franz Schubert
4. String Quintet In C Major, D 956: 4. Allegretto - Franz Schubert

Customer Reviews:

SO MUCH THAT I WANT EVEN MORE.......2007-05-24

To say the least, nobody purchasing this set is likely to regret it. Just at the pedestrian level of value-for-quantity the value is brilliant, and at the artistic level it is more brilliant still. The professionalism and technical proficiency of the Emerson group probably needs little highlighting by now, but these players are musicians first and foremost. Apart from perfect intonation and ultra-perfect ensemble they have added variety to their unfailing beauty of sound. The start of the G major quartet, which can sometimes be a bit of an assault on the ears, is done ideally, with the exploding chords sonorous and majestic. At the other end of the volume-scale there is a wonderful breathless hush near the end of the variations in the D minor, and in this same quartet I don't think I ever heard the enchanting second subject of the first movement phrased so beautifully.

How do they relate to Schubert? For me, Schubert is a composer apart. All his compositions are early works, and in the five pieces comprised in this set I sense a steady advance in certainty and consistency. By the time of the quintet he is fully inside his own individual style, but at every stage of his development there are sequences in which someone or something beyond the merely human seems to be speaking or singing, using him as a mouthpiece, and it taxes even the greatest of his exponents to detect and express these. They are not a matter of one specific idiom, but of several, and the better the interpreters handle such passages the more I find myself longing for some ideal that I refuse to consider unreachable, because I have always heard it reached by someone at some time. One issue is represented by the second subject in the G major's first movement. When this comes round for the second time, in the recapitulation with new counterpoint, the Emersons are perfect for me. However at its first appearance this theme, with its muttering self-repetitions, has a somnambulistic air to it that the Novak quartet on my old LP capture ideally for me, and I wonder whether the Emersons are just a little bright-eyed and clean-limbed. The sense of that grew on me as the set progressed. The great melody from the first movement of the quintet (with Rostropovich on the second cello) suits me fine as they do it, but in the trio of the G major's scherzo while they sing the melody like angels what I want is not people like angels but the angels themselves. I have heard them in this movement before. In a different mode of expression there is the G major's last movement. Schubert produced a similar finale to his late C minor piano sonata, and I would have been more than satisfied with the Emersons here, particularly with the magnificent tone at the end, if I did not know Ogdon's performance of the sonata movement, one of the greatest interpretations I ever heard, with the whole huge piece seemingly taken in a single breath.

The very first and the very last things on this set are especially testing for interpreters of Schubert. The last movement in the quintet, a piece in a very special Schubertian idiom, is my idea of unqualified perfection here. The speed is not too fast, the variations in pace are superbly judged, there is the right sense of a heavy and almost dragging undertow to the rhythm in the accompaniment, and the phrasing of the second theme is something to live for. The set starts with the A minor quartet, and here I held my breath, because with that opening theme we are communing with something not of this world. Verdi, so immune in general to German influence and so gifted with melody himself, explicitly takes off his hat to it at the start of his Requiem. The balance of the melody against the hypnotic wavy accompaniment is perfect here, so is it my absolute ideal? It's somewhere near it at least.

Only one movement out of the whole eighteen seems to me not quite right. The last movement of the D minor is a little fast for my liking, but I could live with that. However the Emersons' fast tempo really does seem symptomatic of a sense that they have missed a deeper tone to the movement, and I felt that in the cadence-theme to the exposition and recapitulation in particular. My thoughts reverted to how this is done by the Gabrieli Quartet on my beloved old LP, with the impression of an apparition of the four horsemen of somewhere that makes me catch my breath to this day. On the other hand, for many people the high spot of such a set is likely to be the slow movement of the quintet, and I can report a reading to rank with the finest here, time held in abeyance as it should be and the control of the sustained long notes perfect beyond perfection.

The set dates from as long ago as 1988, I see, and I wonder how these divinely gifted artists do these pieces nearly twenty years on. The recording is excellent, an absolute necessity for playing like this. The liner notes are also good, except for the one on the quintet, and I seem not to have mentioned so far that we are given the outstandingly lovely fragment of the intended slow movement to the Quartettsatz. Altogether, an outstanding issue in nearly every way. I am reminded of Schubert's epitaph `A rich treasure and still fairer hopes'. These players are young enough to do these quartets again, as they are to do Beethoven's again, and I hope I am still young enough to hear how they do them.

Schubert's late chamber masterpieces.......2005-10-29

The strong points of this 3-CD set are: (1) the immeasurably rich compositions from Schubert, (2) the excellent coupling of the last four quartets with the quintet, (3) the above-average Emerson Quartet performance and (4) the superb value from DG. If you are not familiar with Schubert's chamber works, these four quartets and string quintet are very late masterpieces and some of Schubert's most intricate, mature and monumental compositions. These, along with Schubert's late piano sonatas, reveal glimpses into his deep struggles and pain (through the explosive, dissonant outbursts) but also tender moments of joy and repose as well. It seemed in his final year or two that he was emerging into a consumate maturity as a composer - which tragically was cut short by his early death (supposedly due to complications from Syphilis). The quintet is especially magnificant with each movement being as towering as the next.

There is no arguing that the Emerson Quartet stands among the finest current quartets around. Whether you gravitate to their particular style and sound is quite a personal matter. Certainly, the Emersons get strong accolades for their late Beethoven and recordings of more modern (and 'edgy') composers. In such bold, purcussive and chromatic music they seem to excel and find their greatest expression. Schubert - while 'edgy' in his own way in these late chamber works - still composed in the somewhat-restrained Vienesse tradition (being born and bread in Vienna himself) although parallels to Beethoven are abundent in the music here. Consequently, Schubert's chamber music has still a strong classical flavor and typical Schubertian lyricism. Like another reviewer mentioned, the Emerson Quartet's style is a bit more "direct" and "sharp" in terms of phrasing, articulations and tonality somewhat. Some call their style "A Manhattan style" - I guess suggesting the directness that people from Manhattan are known for (no offense to New Yorkers).

Regardless, the Emerson's style becomes more apparent when comparing with European quartets like the Alban Berg, the Quartetto Italiano and the Quatuor Mosaiques - all of which perform this music with what is often described as a more traditional "Old World Austrian style" (particular the Alban Berg Quartet who hails from Austria). So, while the Emerson's put forth dramatic, precise and interesting readings here, I think at times they "attack" the music too aggressively for its intent and period in history. Schubert was first and foremost a master of melody and lyricism - which does not go away even in his most dissonant and explosive momements. There just seems - at times - an overly-direct expressiveness and tempos that are driven a bit too quickly from the Emersons and a lack of the needed elegance and lyrical smoothness of Schubert's music when called for. But, such things are nuance and not a matter of right or wrong really. However, this quartet dynamic brings out the needed emotive effect in pieces like the potent G-major scherzo movement or the electifying Quartetsalz. Ditto that as well for the great quintet in C major - which a live recording with the legendary cellist, Rostropovich. So, the Emerson's playing here on the whole is impeccably precise and consumately professional so it is more a question whether you like their style nuances as compared to others.

Part of this above conclusion may be colored in part by the sound quality here on DG, which I found to be deficient in tone richness and resonant depth. It just sounds stark and dry - lacking the resonant, harmonic fullness and proper sound stage that allow music to "breath" more and sound more expansive and dramatic. But on the positive side, the instrument balance is great and the sound is full in volume and not "hissy" with a close-miked ambiance allowing clear differentiation of instruments if you like that kind of sound.

The Quartets who to me best capture these most complex and emotive quartets most fully are the (1) Alban Berg (quartets and especially the quintet), (2) the Quatuor Mosaiques (who play a most expressively and nuanced Rosamunde) and (3) the Quartetto Italiano (all quartets, especially the G major quartet which is truly staturesque in its harmonic depths). And for the great quintet, the Marlboro Festival recording (Sony) is highly recommended for its spirited live performance, along with the Alban Berg's "Great Recording of the Century" on EMI.

This DG 3-CD set is a fine recording and value - I just don't think it is the music in which this top quartet shines the brightest. I think the others listed above represent Schubert on a higher plane of excellence and more idiomatic to the composition. But, this DG coupling of the last four great quartets plus the monumental string quintet is fairly unique and priced to be the best value out there. Either way, what is most important is to explore these most wonderful chamber masterpieces.

Awesome music, interesting performance.......2004-07-22

These five compositions--Schubert?s last quartets and nearly his last work, the string quintet--have got to be one of the most underappreciated achievements in the history of artistic endeavor. Who else ever captured such an incredible spectrum of emotions in such exquisite poetry, without Romantic excess? Only Shakespeare comes to mind.

The Emerson performances of the quartets are extremely interesting?very high on the drama, maybe not so high on the poetry. There is immense energy and passion, the usual Emerson technical excellence, but not warmth exactly. Someone reviewing the Berg Quartet?s version of D.887 said he hasn?t gone back to Emerson after hearing ABQ (?honey has replaced the razor blades?). I feel like I couldn?t go back to ABQ after Emerson. The way the Emerson four do the first movement of D.887?I just get a lump in my throat and a little shiver down my spine every time I hear it. If the music can be played this way, why wimp out? I guess I?ll take the razor blades?.

The performance of the quintet with Rostropovich is of a different order: brilliant AND warm. I suggest checking out the reviews of the separately issued CD. This is music-making of a very high order indeed. If the set was the only way to get this performance of the quintet, I?d recommend buying the set. With the quality of the other performances, a fantastic deal.

Schubert + Emerson = Listener Satisfaction.......2002-02-23

First, these quartets are some of the best written to date so if you've not heard them, you should. Second, This is a great set to start with.
From the subtle first movement of Rosemunde, to the confused fury of Death and the Maiden, Emerson's interpretations are immense and multi-dimensional, constantly engaging the listener to jump further into the music. Not bad for a thirty some-odd dollar CD set.
The shining moment is the Quartettsatz. Already (in my opinion) THE BEST nine minutes of chamber music ever, Emerson adds to its appeal taking a bold flirty approach with it; Like a good crime novel, building an undeniable forward motion. It's so sad when after two minutes, the second movement cuts off. If the reader has no idea what I'm talking about, take my word. It will effect you.
The reason for the subtracted star is that, although Emersons in-your-face approach works well for the fast, bold movements, they can not fully shake it in the slower movements, where it sounds clumsey and innapropriate. The second movement in Rosamunde and D 703 could've done with more delicate treatment. For experienced Schubert listeners, Emerson adds a refreshing twist to these quartets. For the beginner, this is an exciting starting point.

Good but not Best.......2000-12-12

Unless you are in a hurry or care about the modern, digital sound, wait for Sony to release the Budapest Quartet version of these quartets on CD. That is the version to have; its absence from CD is one of the great gaps in the catalog.

Average customer rating: Highly Recommend Incredible Schubert from Melos, Rostropovich, Shines Brightly

Schubert: String Quintet In C Major, D. 956 Peter Buck , Mstislav Rostropovich , Gerhard Voss , Hermann Voss , and Melos Quartett Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart / Brahms: Clarinet Quintets Beethoven: Great Fugue Op.133/Schubert: String Quintet D.956 [IMPORT] Dvorak: Piano Quintet, Op. 81/ String Quartet, Op. 51 Mendelssohn: Octet, Op. 20; Quintet, Op. 87 Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116 ASIN: B000001G6G Release Date: 1989-10-09

Tracks:

1. String Quintet In C Major: Allegro ma non troppo
2. String Quintet In C Major: Adagio
3. String Quintet In C Major: Scherzo. Presto - Trio. Andante sostenuto
4. String Quintet In C Major: Allegretto

Amazon.com

It would be difficult to imagine a finer account of this extraordinary work than that of the Melos Quartet and their distinguished guest. The flow of the music is magnificently sustained, its color and inner life marvelously felt. There is a spontaneity to the playing that perfectly complements the profound whimsicality of Schubert's journeys to remote tonal regions, along with a sensitivity ideally suited to the meditative quality of the composer's lyricism. The recording is warm and spacious, richly nuanced, and admirably balanced. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Highly Recommend.......2007-02-08

I love this piece. Although I haven't heard many recordings of it, I can guarantee that this must be among the best. I fell in love with it as soon as I heard it. The playing is wonderful. The group is very tight and dramatic in all the right spots. I would highly recommend this cd. It is a little pricey, so it may be worth looking around for other copies, but if you don't mind paying the $24.00 I assure you that you won't be disappointed.

Incredible.......2003-08-03

I am a cellist and had to play this for a summer camp. I ended up with four different quartets versions of this piece. We all know how differently the same piece can sound right? This version by the Melos quartett was my favorite. Their interpretation of Schubert's music was beautiful. The nuances they created and their phrasing enhanced what was written by Schubert. You will not be disappointed with this CD.

Schubert from Melos, Rostropovich, Shines Brightly.......2000-03-06

The edition of this recording in my possession is from the European set "Schubert Meisterwerke" which was availbale for a short time in the US. This particular recording is among the most soulful of the Schubert C Major Quintet. Most notable is probably the second movement, Adagio, with potent first violin and first 'cello lines that sing over the mezza voce accompaniment. Rostropovich is rather well known for taking this movement slower than comfortable for many players, but I think this adds a great deal to the recording as the movement is beautiful but restless at points. The Melos will not let you merely settle passively into this movement, but will pull and push you along with it. The Scherzo is an amazing contrast in that it is practically all push -- pushing ahead that is -- until the more lyrical trio. This work is difficult to navigate, with numerous voice changes, parallels and tempi that refuse to quite settle, but it is difficult to find a better recording than this.

Average customer rating: Schubert: Quintet in C and Shepherd on the Rock A bit timid in the Quintet but unsurpassed in 'Shepherd on the Rock' Still as Lovely a Recording of these Schubert Jewels as any A Schubert masterpiece Schubert of surpassing beauty

Schubert: Quintet in C D. 956; The Shepherd on the Rock Felix Galimir , Julia Lichten , Yo-Yo Ma , Steven Tenenbom , Peter Wiley , Benita Valente , Harold Wright , and Rudolf Serkin Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Elly Ameling ~ Schubert · Schumann - Songs Elgar: Cello Concerto; "Enigma" Variations French Clarinet Art Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 "Italian"; Octet for Strings, Op. 20 Schubert: "Trout " Quintet ASIN: B00000270P Release Date: 1990-05-03

Tracks:

1. Quintet In C Major, D. 956: I Allegro ma non troppo
2. Quintet In C Major, D. 956: II Adagio
3. Quintet In C Major, D. 956: III Scherzo: Presto - Trio: Andante sostenuto
4. Quintet In C Major, D. 956: IV Allegretto
5. Der Hirt Auf Dem Flesem, D. 965 (The Shepherd On The Rock)

Customer Reviews:

Schubert: Quintet in C and Shepherd on the Rock.......2007-02-19

This is an excellent recording. Of course, both are wonderful pieces of music. Shepherd on the Rock is a beautiful song - probably the last that Schubert wrote before his death. It was written especially for a friend to sing. It has a lot of drama, and those lovely melodies that just flowed out of Schubert. I highly recommend this CD.

A bit timid in the Quintet but unsurpassed in 'Shepherd on the Rock'.......2006-01-09

By 1986 the Marlboro Festival had acquired up-to-date recording equipment, so this live Schubert Quintet in C sounds very good, the strings natural and sweet, the balance perfect. (I am going on faith with an earlier reviewer, since the jacket notes don't say that this is a live performance.) The group is led by old hand Felix Galimir and a young Pamela Frank on violin. This is a sensitive reading, but there are many places where it's a bit timid and foursquare. The Quintet in C responds to the greatest emotional depth one can give, and here the performers take no risks, unlike the classic Prades Festival recording, also on Sony, with an impassioned Pablo Casals. Three stars.

The coupling, from twenty years earlier, is Schubert's sublime Der Hirt auf dem Felsen (which, if translated literally, means something comical: Shepherd on the Rocks). Benita Valente sings with rapturous ease, inspired by Rudolf Serkin's piano and the clarinet obligatto of Harold Wright, the best American clarinetist of his generation. A treasurable performance. Five stars.

Still as Lovely a Recording of these Schubert Jewels as any.......2005-04-03

Though recorded in 1986 at a live performance at the Marlboro Festival where outdoor ambience can either enhance or detract from 'pure music', this elegant recording of The Schubert Quintet in C major coupled with 'The Shepherd on the Rock' is right up there with the best of them. The quintet is especially sensitively played and the recorded sound, while a bit forward, still encourages appreciation of the communication among the five string performers.

"The Shepherd on the Rock" is a favorite work, loved by chamber musicians. Written for voice, piano and clarinet - each of equal importance - it is a lovely mood piece. The performers here are the inimitable Rudolf Serkin playing with his usual refinement, Harold Wright providing the clarinet obbligato, and the rare opportunity to hear Benite Valente in top form, sailing through Schubert's lines and high tessitura with seemingly no effort.

If you are looking for the most open and tender 'Shepherd' available, look no further. A very fine recording of an important music festival that celebrated some of our best musicians. Grady Harp, April 05

A Schubert masterpiece .......2005-03-31

Many consider Schubert's String Quintet one of THE pinnacle masterpieces in the entire chamber repertoire. With its many and diverse emotional moods, memorable lyrical themes, dense textures, and its tonal richness from 5 strings (w/ two cellos), the quintet is clearly a masterpiece. Much of Schubert's chamber and leider music flowed from small, festive gatherings with his musical friends ("Schubertiades") and that kind of intimate spirit is captured in this festive, live performance. This recording can compete with the best in terms of sound and performance and is quite lively and vivid - partly from the dynamic of a live performance. You can clearly feel this energy and a sense of spontaneous music-making in the highly-spirited last two movements of the quintet. Lead violinist Pamela Frank brings a gorgeous tone and technique to these works - albiet one more focused on the moment than on clinical perfection in a studio. While not the highest-profile violinist around, Ms. Frank brings a refined technique and much artistry to the music she plays (her Beethoven violin sonatas being one fine example).

For those not familiar with the Marlboro Festival ... no, it was not an event sponsored by the cigarette company but was an annual summer gathering for decades in rural Marlboro, Vermont of some of the best veteran and budding talents (like Ma, Perahia) headed by the legendary pianist and teacher, Rudolf Serkin. The quintet was recorded in 1986 while the song in 1960 which is quite lovely here. With minimal agenda and pressure in a lovely retreat setting, these musician followed their deepest musical inclinations, honed their talents among legends and often came up with memorable performances such as this Schubert quintet. Compare the clips to others and you can sense how good it is.

As much as I admire the polished (studio) version of the Quintet from the Alban Berg Quartet, I must say I like this version even more for its live dynamic and the way the background strings create a greater sense of drama in the final movement by sustaining their harmony passages versus a more stacatto effect as most others do. Plus, the Marlboro group gives the first movement its due drama by retaining the often-omitted repeat. Another strong performance comes from the Emerson Quartet on DG if you like their bolder manner of playing. The second song piece on this CD (with piano, clarinet accompanyment) is most lovely and sensitively played/sung. I am not familiar with Schubert's songs, but it seems the gently-meandering and melodic performance here captures what he must have had in mind. From such songs with their natural spontaneity and lyricism, you can appreciate why Schubert was one of the finest and prolific composers in the leider genre. 4.5 stars.

Note: while the Amazon text lists Yo Yo Ma as one of the two cellists, it is not the case (Wiley, Lichten).

Schubert of surpassing beauty.......2001-07-02

Though this is indeed an unusual combination, I don't agree with the previous reviewer -- there is absolutely no reason to give this wonderful CD less than 5 stars. In fact, if I could, I'd give it more! Both pieces, I must admit neither of which was I familiar with before this, are exquisite jewels of Schubertian melody and beautiful, unexpected harmonic turns. The quintet is played with much love and devotion by the Marlboro crew assembled, and what can one say about the other piece -- "The Shepherd On The Rock"? The legendary Rudolf Serkin is at the piano (a better chamber player never existed), the brilliant Harold Wright is on clarinet, and the beguiling, bewitching soprano Benita Valente is at peak form here -- such purity of tone and lovely, delicate phrasing! This piece was recorded in the late 50's, but not to worry -- the sonics are just fine. This was truly a find. Personal note: this was recommended to me by the great Rudolf Serkin's grandson -- how could I resist? I'm glad to report that he certainly didn't let me down!

Average customer rating:

Schubert: String Quintet D. 956; Quartettsatz D. 703 Guarneri Quartet , and Leonard Rose Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Guarneri String Quartet | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Six Quartets Dedicated to Haydn Schubert: Sonata in A Minor, Boccherini: Sonata No. 6 Beethoven: The Middle String Quartets Saint-Saëns: Concertos Bach: Sonatas for Violin & Harpsichord, BWV 1014-1019; Sonatas for Viola da Gamba & Harpsichord, BWV 1027-1029 ASIN: B0002VYE0Y Release Date: 2004-10-12

Tracks:

1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
2. Adagio
3. Scherzo: Presto
4. Allegretto
5. Allegro Assai

Amazon.com

During its distinguished 40-year career, the Guarneri Quartet has generated an enormous discography. This recording of the 1970s must be among its earliest. It is totally amazing. The group's unique, instantly recognizable characteristics are already fully in evidence: its beautiful, expressive sound, its unanimous, aristocratic style, its unfailing sense of pacing, its poised, organic transitions. Every note is alive and expressive; every line stands out in a seamlessly woven tapestry. In the Quintet's unusual scoring, the viola holds the balance between two high and two low voices. Michael Tree makes his part a source of tensile yet flexible strength. The mercurial first movement encompasses melting lyricism and high drama; in the second, the anguished middle section is much faster, making the return to the original celestial mood problematic. The Scherzo is robust, the Trio tragic; the Finale is an exuberant, austere, gracious dance. The "Quartetsatz" is urgent, ominous; the lyrical second theme floats serenely. The Guarneri recorded the Quintet again in the 1990s with cellist Bernard Greenhouse--tracing the differences and similarities is fascinating. The two violins sound uncannily equal, the second cello more prominent; the slow movement tempo changes are more balanced. The basic concept seems unchanged, but the projection is heightened and intensified with greater freedom, spontaneity, ardor, repose, daring, breadth and depth of feeling. Two great recordings--both indispensable. --Edith Eisler

Music Review:

1. Schubert: Symphony Nos. 5 & 8/Die Zauberharfe Overture
2. String Quartet 12
3. Summer Music: British Works for Flute
4. Symphony 2 / Haydn Variations
5. Symphony in B-Flat / Symphony in D
6. Szigeti Plays Bach, Tartini & Mozart
7. Tchaikovsky:Romeo and Juliet/Eighteen Twelve Overture/Capriccio Italien/Marche Slave
8. Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings Op48; Sleeping Beauty Op66
9. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No6, Op74; Hamlet in Fm Op67
10. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No6, Op74; Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

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