Customer Reviews

Schubert: Piano Quintet "Trout"; Adagio and Rondo Concertante, D. 487

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As energetic and vibrant as the performance by the Alban Berg Quartet (EMI), this 'Trout' offering is made even more interesting through its use of the first edition score of 1829. On top of all this, the recording quality is excellent. Regardless of price, this is the version of the 'Trout' to own, and at this price, it's impossible to pass up.

This is my favorite Trout on CD. The only version I have heard that is comparable to it is on an LP by Jorg Demus and members of Collegium Aureum, all playing on period instruments. First of all, Jeno Jando is one of the finest Schubert players in the world. His performance is crisp, full bodied, and totally unsentimental. The string players are equally fine. The Kodaly Quartet has made so many fine recordings for Naxos that praising them may be superfluous here. For a group that does Beethoven's Late Quartets so well, an outing in the Trout might appear too superficial. But the string playing here is absolutely lovely and full of charm. And the excellent sound engineering allows you to hear the fine contribution of the double bassist, an essential part of the piece that is too often obscured on recordings. In sum, this is one of the finest Trouts ever recorded (I even have the Schnabel/Pro Arte Quartet version.) and an absolute steal at the price.

A few years ago I was doing a presentation and decided that background music would suit the presentation rather well. The only problem was that I was on my way to make the presentation and did not have any CD's with me. As I was driving, Schubert's Trout Quintet was on the radio. The familiar music would suit the need for background music perfectly, and it turned out I was near a music store. I thought that even this store with a limited selection would have this title. It did, and at a price that was outrageous. I then decided to go budget, figuring if the quality was also budget, it would be fine since people probably would not notice the music anyway. Well, finding this recording was a stroke of good luck.

"The Trout Quintet" has been performed by many great musicians and well known quartets and quintets. I assumed this rendition would be at least adequate, but would probably pale in comparison to other recordings of this work I have in my collection. I am not going to say it is better than a recording I have with Isaac Stern and another with Yo Yo Ma, It is an excellent and energetic performance of the work and the Andante and Rondo Concertante is a lesser known work, but compliments the "Trout Quintet" well.

This recording, like so many in the Naxos catalog, is of a quality that far exceeds the price, and offers the listener a masterful performance of a great work in the classical repertoire.

This is a good, solid version of these pieces, and the Adagio and Rondo Concertante in F is hard to find and worth hearing. At the price, it's hard to resist. The recorded sound is excellent.