Customer Reviews

Schubert: Piano Quintet "Trout", etc / Ax, Guarneri Quartet

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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This recording of Schubert's Trout Quintet and the string quartet version of Mozart's 'Eine Kleine' carries the many great facets of a master performance. The Guarneri Quartet is at its peak and Emmanuel Ax holds to his prestige as a master pianist in the chamber repertoire.

Let's face it, the "Trout" Quintet and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik are the quintessential "work horses" of classical music, but in this album, they are both (especially the latter) given a fresh face in the hands of master musicians. The music and the playing on this recording is stimulating, and at the same time relaxing to the listener. The recording engineers did a great job of giving the sound a more intimate feeling of a drawing room or living room rather than a large hall or recording studio.

It is especially important with the Mozart, as quite frankly, it is extremely rare to hear it done by a small group of musicans (which it appears from the liner notes to have been Mozart's intent for this piece). But here it is, and not in it's usual full orchestral dress, and most important, it sounds incredible. This performance will make you wonder why it is not performed more often in this fashion. This is music meant to be played by a small group of friends (or family members) as a after-dinner entertainment, or Sunday afternoon diversion.

Pairing it with the "Trout" Quintet, which owes its existence to just such a request for music to be played by musicians for their own amusement and not a regular performance, brings this out even more.

These are pieces of music with no program, message, or ideology, just music for the pure joy of playing , and for us to listen to after dinner or on a lazy Sunday afternoon. (It's also a great stress-reliever for commutes, and long plane rides as well.) Do make it a part of your collection.

I found this recording displays the Guarneri Quartet's excellent skills. The playing is crisp and clean, but instills the nuances of the pieces. I love listening to it at work. It provides a pleasant background for creative thinking. I highly recommend it.