SLEEPING WITH SCHUBERT

Schubert set the poetry of over 115 writers to music. He selected poems from classical Greece, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, from eighteenth-century German authors, early Romantics, Biedermeier poets, and Heine.

This 1975 recording of Schubert's C major String Quintet finds the Guarneri Quartet and cellist Leonard Rose in fine form. Admittedly, first violinist Arnold Steinhardt's tone is occasionally edgy, a feature exacerbated by microphone placement, and there are several patches of questionable intonation, but tonal blend and balance are otherwise exemplary. The opening movement comes off best (performed without the exposition repeat), with propulsive, dramatic playing and a sensitive shaping of the oh-so-lovely, lyrical second theme. The Adagio's fragile atmosphere is nicely sustained, though the opening could be more hushed. Rough-hewn and unhurried, the Guarneri underscores the rustic, dance-like qualities of the last two movements, and while the scherzo is too heavy-handed, the finale has an endearing, Gypsy-like rhythmic snap.

The Alban Berg Quartet and Heinrich Schiff (EMI) offer a sweeter, more polished view of this hallowed repertoire staple. And then there's the Hollywood String Quartet and Kurt Reher (Testament), who are far plainer-sounding yet phrase in glorious, long paragraphs. I wouldn't give up either of these deservedly acclaimed accounts, but RCA was right to finally put the Guarneri's compelling version on CD. The coupling is a 1970 recording of the Beethovenian Quartettsatz that begins perfunctorily but quickly gathers expressive weight.

--Andrew Farach-Colton, ClassicsToday.com

The recital discs of Christian Gerhaher are all excellent – and the latest addition is a collection of Schubert songs worthy falling in love with. Abendbilder (“Evensongs” or more literally: “Evening Images”) is a collection of the nocturnal explorations in song with his accompanist Gerold Huber who shines with his often delicate, always appropriate and delightful contribution.

There is a rarefied quality about Gerhaher’s Lied-interpretations… an aching beauty, sincerity, and correctness that permeates every song. His tone is finer, more sensitive than most – but never stylized. Natural, but not in a nonchalant way. What you hear on record goes well with the impression he makes in person. Friendly but somewhat impenetrable, courteous but distant, very humble but with the slightly intimidating aura of confident authority. There is purpose to what he does and how he does it – but while these are intellectual readings, they are never rarified or pedantic as not to charm the Lieder-lover without reservation.

-- Jens F. Laurson, WETA

Classical Music

This is a DSD (Direct Stream Digital) recording

The King's Singers: Nightsong

•Pianist Jura Margulis recorded the present Schubert CD on a modern grand piano equipped with the built-on “sordino pedal” extension. Around the mid-19th century, this possibility of altering and extending the sound had largely disappeared from the canon of various pedal functions, but it was retained in Vienna until the early 20th century. Composers call this function “sordino” because the sound modification is related to the mutes of the string instruments.

Classical Music

SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 / STRAUSS: Voice

Classical Music

LIEDER ZUR WEIHNACHT

Schubert: Piano Trio No. 2 - Violin Sonata, Op. 137, No. 2

Schubert: Piano Quintet In A Major, "Trout" / Notturno

Schubert: Muziek voor piano