Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, James Levine :: Schubert: Trout Quintet; Death and the Maiden

Top-rate performance of the Trout Quintet and very good perf

P. Trummer | Massachusetts, USA | 11/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"James Levine along with the four string players in this recording of the "Trout Quintet" make this performance a very worthwhile (despite being more classically interpreted) listening experience and they also play cleanly thoughout the work without virtually any rough spots. (The only reason there would be is because it is, to be blunt, one of the most challenging pieces in chamber music.) The quintet is one of Schubert's masterpieces in the chamber repertoire. The five movements in the work contain sections of (vastly) contrasting musically idiomatic characteristics and emotional ranges, but it blends together to give an undeniably "Schubert" feeling overall. String quartet #14, "Death and the maiden" is also a favorite Schubert piece and, in this performance, the Melos Quartet (a different group in an earlier recording) displays their more romantically oriented playing style. The recording quality is great, and the price is also excellent. I recommend this CD for both performances. Enjoy!





Tracks 1 - 5: Piano Quintet in A major, ("Trout")

Tracks 6 - 9: "Death and the maiden" String Quartet #14 in D minor

Total Time: 79:27"

Tasty Trout...and Cheap!

Moldyoldie | Motown, USA | 07/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With Philips, Decca, and Deutsche Grammophon now all under the same corporate umbrella; many fine older recordings from those labels are being mixed & matched and re-released at budget price under newly minted labels. This performance of The Trout is re-released from an original Deutsche Grammophon album from '93 and features a quintet led by noted conductor James Levine on piano; it's paired with a fine older '75 recording of Schubert's famous Death and the Maiden quartet (performed by the Melos Quartet) for a chock-full 80-minute CD. This Trout caught my ear with its vivid close-up digital sound focused on the piano and a balance favoring the higher strings; the string bass is balanced very subtly in the background.



I consider this one to be a no-brainer, especially for the Schubert uninitiate."