Schubert - String Quintet / Lieder

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FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert - String Quintet / Lieder
Quatuor Ebène, with Gautier Capuçon (cello) & Matthias Goerne (baritone)

[ Erato Classics / CD ]

Release Date: Friday 6 May 2016

In a characteristically imaginative move, the Quatuor Ebène complements Schubert's sublime Quintet for two violins, viola and two cellos (Gautier Capuçon joins the ensemble) with a group of his songs - sensitively arranged by the quartet's cellist, Raphaël Merlin, and sung by German baritone Matthias Goerne, one of the world's great interpreters of lieder.

In 2014 Erato released Schubert's glorious 'Trout' Quintet, recorded live at Paris's Salle Pleyel by members of Quatuor Ebène with nonagerian pianist Menahem Pressler. The French quartet - with a new viola-player, 24-year-old Adrien Boisseau and a distinguished guest cellist, Gautier Capuçon - now turns to another Schubert quintet, his final chamber work and one of his sublime masterpieces: the Quintet for two violins, viola and two cellos in C major D956, often known simply as the Schubert Quintet. Its slow movement in particular, in which time seems to stands still, is a favourite with music-lovers.

"For a start, the Ebène Quartet quite clearly think deeply about every note, every texture, every gesture - as they have demonstrated in the past...The lower instruments are the engine room of the Quintet, and this performance demonstrates that as finely as any...The detailing, too, is remarkable." (Gramophone Award Nomination 2016 - Chamber)

"The songs range from the rarely heard Atys on a text by Johann Baptist Mayrhofer to the better known Death and the Maiden, which Schubert employed so memorably in his String Quartet No. 14. It is luxury casting to have the illustrious Matthias Goerne with his dark, rich baritone sing these lieder. The recording at times precludes total comprehension of the texts, something that would likely not occur with piano, so it is fortunate that the texts are printed in the booklet. Goerne sings to the manner born, leaving a most positive impression. While having Schubert lieder arranged as here in no way detracts from the value of the programme, it is for the superlative account of the great String Quintet that I will often revisit this wonderful disc." (Recording of the month MusicWeb June 2016)

"Enriched by the extra cello of Gautier Capuçon, this performance is noteworthy for its sheer richness and variety of colour...With detailed, upfront sound enhancing the playing, this disc is sure to gain a footing on this year's awards lists." The Strad

Tracks:

Schubert: Quintet for 2 violins, viola & 2 cellos
Schubert / Arr Merlin: Die Götter Griechenlands, D. 677
Schubert / Arr Merlin: Der Tod und das Mädchen, D. 531
Schubert / Arr Merlin: Der Jüngling und der Tod, D. 545
Schubert / Arr Merlin: Atys, D. 585
Schubert / Arr Merlin: Der liebliche Stern, D. 861

Quatuor Ebène and Gautier Capuçon record Schubert's String Quintet D956