Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Beaux Arts Trio :: Schubert: "Trout" Quintet, D667; Mozart: Clarinet Quintet, KV581 [Hybrid SACD]

Wonderful!

Lance Friedel | Warwick, RI USA | 10/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD brings together two recordings made in the 1970s by Philips engineers, both recorded in the splendid acoustics of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw using the latest 4-channel techniques. They have been available (in stereo) on Philips in many forms, but are issued here for the first time in 4-channel SACD sound, carefully remastered from the original tapes. The sound quality is nothing short of amazing, with the best of analog warmth and an almost digital clarity and range. The placement of the instruments is so precise that you can close your eyes and imagine the groups sitting right in front of you (Even in stereo--I don't have surround equipment).

The augmented Beaux Arts Trio give the most joyous performance of the Trout Quintet I've ever heard. Everything flows in the most natural way, and none of the music's character is missed. And the same can be said of the Pieterson/Grumiaux version of Mozart's great Clarinet Quintet. Listening to it you never think the music could (or should) be played any other way.

I can think of no more life-affirming music than these two A-major masterpieces, and the performances and recordings are absolutely wonderful."