11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Compilation of Schubert Chamber Works, November 2, 2003
This review is from: Schubert: Chamber Music (Great Composers) (Audio CD)
I was checking out different performances of Schubert's essential chamber works when suddenly I found this set. Suddenly my eyes lit up: legendary performers like Casals, Rachmaninoff, Thibaud, Serkin, Schnabel and Kreisler all in one collection performing the best of Schubert's chamber pieces; I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Andante has selected truly classic renditions of these masterworks and packed them all in an attractive and idiosyncratic manner along with performance notes. I had finally discovered a truly satisfying set.
The performances are all top-notch, and the sound quality, although certainly not up to today's standards, is for the most part very satisfactory. Particularly enjoyable are the renditions of the C Major String Quintet and E Flat Major Piano Trio (the Andante con moto of which was hauntingly used in Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon). The collection also features the B Flat Major Piano Trio, the "Trout" Quintet, and the F Major Octet, along with selected works for violin and piano.
In conclusion, this set boasts classic performances for the Schubert afficionado, but would also serve as an excellent overview of his chamber works for the listener new to his music. I suggest a collection of Schubert's final four String Quartets to accompany this set (the Julliard Quartet on Sony is highly recommended). The chief problem with this collection is finding an affordable seller (perhaps archivmusic.com has it in stock?). In any case enjoy.
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