Showing posts with label quintet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quintet. Show all posts

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Schubert: Streichquintett C-dur D 956

I have to say that it took me like 10 times to appreciate this quintet. I do not have memory of having heard it before I bought it. The first times, I just thought it was a waste of emotiveness. I had to listen to it a few times, to start identifying passages I liked.
Now I can say that it is among the music that I undoubtedly had to have in my collection. In the allegro, it has stubborn repetitions with accompanying lyricism, alternations of impetus and reflexions. I particularly enjoy the tension Schubert creates whenever he wants to emphasize. Listen particularly to the main theme of the adagio. The allegretto has a playful slavic air. It becomes stubborn too.

This is a live version by the Emerson String Quartet with guest Mstislav Rostropovich as second Violoncello.

    String Quintet in C major, D 956 (op.posth. 163)

  1. Allegro ma non troppo (19'15)
  2. Adagio (14'50)
  3. Scherzo. Presto - Trio. Andante sostenuto (10'02)
  4. Allegretto (9'22)

[(blogginography note: draft initiated http://blistener.blogspot.com/2007/05/schubert-string-quintet.html)]

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Schubert: String Quintet

I had to listen to this CD 4 times, before I could appreciate it. I will quote myself after my first listening:

Well despite boasting the participation of Rostropovich, I have to say that I am not impressed by this work. I feel that it simply accumulates many loose phrases that end not being sufficiently tied up in a coherent work. I think it sounds like a Beethoven wannabe, with little dramatism.

This is my first impression, and I will listen to it again.


Now I can say that I enjoy it. The bass gives it a solidity that is not particular of a general basso continuo.




Name Key Catalogue Musicians Observations
StreichQuintett C D 956 Emerson String Quartet and Rostropovich