Customer Reviews

Schubert: "Trout " Quintet

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Sony has of course in its catalog one recording of the "Trout" quintet which has universally been recognized as a truly "great performance" since its first publication in 1967: the one by Rudolf Serkin and his partners from the Marlboro festival, now available with Mozart's clarinet quintet performed by Harold Wright (Schubert: Piano Quintet "Trout"; Mozart: Clarinet Quintet). Still, the present recording from 1995 around stars Emmanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma is also a fine, albeit interpretively slanted performance. Its values are brisk and almost hard-driven tempos throughout, muscular phrasings, crisp piano playing and ample lyricism from the strings. For more developed comments, see my review under the original issue: Schubert: Quintet, Op. 114 "The Trout" / Sonata, D. 821 "Arpeggione". Not a "Trout" for all tastes then and especially not for those who prefer a more easy-going, genial Schubert, but one that is treasurable precisely for its radicalism of approach. With the welcome addition of the Lied on which Schubert based his "Trout" variations, here nicely if lightly sung by Barbara Bonney, the Arpeggione sonata, played by the Ma-Ax duet, is a significant filler and a welcome complement to the weightier, more brooding and wistful approach of Rostropovich and Britten in 1968 (Decca Schubert, Debussy / Rostropovich, Britten). Ma emits unfailingly rich and creamy sonorities, with a wealth of vocal inflexions, and in the Finale displays awesome virtuosity. Thanks to this reissue, some 10 years after its original publication, you can now get it for cheaper, but at the cost of the original booklet's program notes, which are now reduced to an insignificant blurb. Well, it is for you to decide if a more developed pabulum is worth the extra bucks. I didn't think so.

I've heard many performances of the famous "Trout" Quintet, both live and in recording. I have always loved this masterpiece. The performance in this recording, however, casts the piece under a new light. This performance is no genial serenade: it is a vigorous interpretation with fast tempos, accents marked more than typically, and dramatic dynamic contrasts. I very much enjoyed the clearly marked direction in which each phrase was shaped. The ensemble playing is superb, each instrument (including the piano) playing with sparkling and varied color. Movements 1 and 3 are played with a thrilling excitement that I have never heard brought to this piece before. Fasten your seatbelts! Overall, this strikes me as a very modern interpretation of Schubert. Somehow, I suspect that with Schubert's piano, the same dramatic effect may not have been possible or even intended. Nevertheless, as a modern listener, I found this interpretation to be valid and very musically satisfying. Highly recommended.

Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma have long been famous for their frequent collaboration as chamber musicians. Both of them have had highly successful careers as soloists, yet they still reserve plenty of time in their schedule to work together. In this CD, along with violinist Pamela Frank, violist Rebecca Young, and bassist Edgar Meyer, they have turned to what is arguably the finest piece of chamber music ever written - Schubert's "Trout" Quintet.

I am delighted to say that I have been tremendously pleased with this album. Our chamber musicians succeed in interacting on an exciting, yet intimate level. This is Schubert that is alive and sparkling with gaiety, just like it should be. The wonderful 4th movement, the variations on "Die Forelle" (The Trout) comes across especially well. The opening theme is played so well that you will have a tough time not stopping what you are doing to sit and listen. Each variation comes across full of zest and spirit. My favorite variation, the last, will leave the listener with immense satisfaction and zeal for life. The rest of the quintet is likewise well performed.

Following the "Trout" Quintet, we are given a performance of the Arpeggione Sonata. This is far from a mere filler. Ax and Ma give yet another fantastic performance. Compared to the "Trout" Quintet, this piece is rather dark and melancholy. Ma's tone is appropriately soulful and wonderfully rich.

Highly recommended. This is chamber music as good as it gets.

This CD is a replacement for an earlier version of The Trout that was lost. The recording is a good session with a fine ensemble. Emanuel Ax plays very well. Yo-Yo Ma is a bonus and is terrific as usual. This session/recording is less lyrical than the Clifford Curzon and members of the Vienna Octet (Penguin Classics) it replaced in my collection. Nonetheless, it worthy replacement.

I am fortunate enough to have the original issue of this CD, without the notes removed so I don't miss what the previous reviewer finds lacking. I will follow his lead by noting that especially for musical innocents like myself, every piece of help the CD and give me is valueable, so I would miss it. If you are lucky enough to get a copy of the 1996 issue with the principal performers hard at work on their instruments under a majestic oak(?) tree in the summer sun, you will be much happier with your Schubert trout experience. But then again, the music is all the same, and I find it glorious, a veritable classical 'Super Session'.

I bought this for my Mom because she is really into the Brit-com "Waiting for God" & the intro music is Schubert, V. Finale. Allegro giusto. So, upon looking for the music, I ran upon this. This CD is wonderful & YoYo Ma is never a disappointment. This CD is a plus for ones general collection.