Audio CD review:
Franz Schubert, Mstislav Rostropovich, Emerson String Quartet - Schubert: String Quintet in C, D. 956

Franz Schubert, Mstislav Rostropovich, Emerson String Quartet - Schubert: String Quintet in C, D. 956

Band: Franz Schubert, Mstislav Rostropovich, Emerson String Quartet Title: Schubert: String Quintet in C, D. 956 Rating: Release Date: 11 August, 1992 Media: Audio CD 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

Editoral Review 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. 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. 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 .. You can see a complete list of all Franz Schubert, Mstislav Rostropovich, Emerson String Quartet discography, or go back to the Franz Schubert, Mstislav Rostropovich, Emerson String Quartet tabs