String Quartets: Death and the Maiden

1. String Quartet No. 14 in D minor ("Death and the Maiden"), D. 810
Composed by Franz Schubert
with Verdi Quartet , Didier Poskin , Susanne Rabenschlag , Peter Stein , Karin Wolf

2. String Quartet No. 2 in C major (fragment), D. 32
Composed by Franz Schubert
with Verdi Quartet , Didier Poskin , Susanne Rabenschlag , Peter Stein , Karin Wolf

Tracks:

String Quartet (In Various Keys), D 18 (No.1): Andante - Presto vivace
String Quartet (In Various Keys), D 18 (No.1): Menuetto
String Quartet (In Various Keys), D 18 (No.1): Andante
String Quartet (In Various Keys), D 18 (No.1): Presto
String Quartet in C major, D 32 (No.2): Presto
String Quartet in C major, D 32 (No.2): Andante
String Quartet in C major, D 32 (No.2): Menuetto. Allegro
String Quartet in C major, D 32 (No.2): Allegro con spirito
String Quartet in B flat major, D 36 (No.3): Allegro
String Quartet in B flat major, D 36 (No.3): Andante
String Quartet in B flat major, D 36 (No.3): Menuetto. Allegro non troppo
String Quartet in B flat major, D 36 (No.3): Allegretto
Quartet Movement In C Minor, D 103: Grave - Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet in C major, D 46 (No.4): Adagio - Allegro con moto
String Quartet in C major, D 46 (No.4): Andante con moto
String Quartet in C major, D 46 (No.4): Menuetto. Allegro
String Quartet in C major, D 46 (No.4): Allegro
String Quartet In B Flat Major, D 68 (No.5): Allegro
String Quartet In B Flat Major, D 68 (No.5): Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, D 74 (No. 6): Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet In D Major, D 74 (No. 6): Andante
String Quartet In D Major, D 74 (No. 6): Menuetto. Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, D 74 (No. 6): Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet In D Major, D 94 (No. 7): Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, D 94 (No. 7): Andante con moto
String Quartet In D Major, D 94 (No. 7): Menuetto. Allegro
String Quartet In D Major, D 94 (No. 7): Presto
String Quartet In B-Flat Major, D 112 (No. 8): Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet In B-Flat Major, D 112 (No. 8): Andante sostenuto
String Quartet In B-Flat Major, D 112 (No. 8): Menuetto. Allegro
String Quartet In B-Flat Major, D 112 (No. 8): Presto
String Quartet In G Minor, D 173 (No. 9): Allegro con brio
String Quartet In G Minor, D 173 (No. 9): Andantino
String Quartet In G Minor, D 173 (No. 9): Menuetto. Allegro vivace
String Quartet In G Minor, D 173 (No. 9): Allegro

Tracks:

String Quartet In E-Flat Major, Op. Post. 125, No. 1, D 87 (No. 10): Allegro moderato
String Quartet In E-Flat Major, Op. Post. 125, No. 1, D 87 (No. 10): Adagio
String Quartet In E-Flat Major, Op. Post. 125, No. 1, D 87 (No. 10): Scherzo. Prestissimo
String Quartet In E-Flat Major, Op. Post. 125, No. 1, D 87 (No. 10): Allegro
String Quartet In A Minor, Op. 29, No. 1, D 804 (No. 13) 'Rosamunde': Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet In A Minor, Op. 29, No. 1, D 804 (No. 13) 'Rosamunde': Andante
String Quartet In A Minor, Op. 29, No. 1, D 804 (No. 13) 'Rosamunde': Menuetto. Allegretto
String Quartet In A Minor, Op. 29, No. 1, D 804 (No. 13) 'Rosamunde': Allegro moderato

Tracks:

String Quartet In E Major, Op. Post. 125, No. 2, D 353 (No. 11): Allegro con fuoco
String Quartet In E Major, Op. Post. 125, No. 2, D 353 (No. 11): Andante
String Quartet In E Major, Op. Post. 125, No. 2, D 353 (No. 11): Menuetto. Allegro vivace
String Quartet In E Major, Op. Post. 125, No. 2, D 353 (No. 11): Rondo. Allegro vivace
String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 (No. 14) 'Death And The Maiden': Allegro
String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 (No. 14) 'Death And The Maiden': Andante con moto
String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 (No. 14) 'Death And The Maiden': Scherzo. Allegro molto
String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 (No. 14) 'Death And The Maiden': Presto

Tracks:

Quartet Movement In C Minor, D 703 (No. 12): Allegro assai
String Quartet In G Major, Op. Post. 161, D 887 (No. 15): Allegro molto moderato
String Quartet In G Major, Op. Post. 161, D 887 (No. 15): Andante un poco moto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. Post. 161, D 887 (No. 15): Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio. Allegretto
String Quartet In G Major, Op. Post. 161, D 887 (No. 15): Allegro assai

Customer Reviews:

This set or the Auryn Quartet set?.......2004-06-06

I read, in a book on string quartets, the statement: "More than half of the best string quartets had been written when Schubert died in 1828". I agree, but would put the percentage at more like 75 or 80%. The author went on to include all of Schubert's, even those that he wrote as a teenager. I was surprised by this comment, but now, having now heard his complete string quartets, I have to agree. Even his early ones are superb!

To the recordings: I was just a bit disappointed. The sound seems a bit harsh in places, not as warm as sets I have by the Quartetto Italiano (Beethoven), Melos Quartet (Mozart) and Aoelian Q (Haydn). No doubt they are technically very correct, and show real liveliness - the violins just sound a bit scratchy in places.

The only other complete set seems to be the Auryn Quartet recording, highly recommended by the Penguin guide, but twice as expensive. Naxos offers 12 or the 15 quartets on 5 separate CDs. I'd liked to have heard the Auryn recording before I'd made the decision to purchase this one - who knows, I might have made the same decision anyway.

Buy it for the right reasons.......2002-10-04

I agree with the other review, but there is an alternative to this set, by the Auryn Quartet, and it is also excellent. So, buy this set for the right reasons, whatever those are, such as: the sound quality of this Chamber Ensemble (extremely warm)
or the overall feel of their playing (caring, respectful). Buy the set from the Auryn quartet if you care more about the sound quality of the recording (it is noticeably better) or if you happen to like a younger, slightly more aggressive approach.
Frankly I have both sets, and love both.

Great Music for a Good Price.......2002-05-02

I bought this set in Dec. '01 and it has since become a favorite in my collection. Schubert is a great composer and in my opinion, the quartets are where he really shines.

Sadly, it is hard to find recordings of all but the last four. In total, there are fourteen plus two fragments- one incomplete and one lost. They are all here and at such a good deal!

The first two discs (first five quartets and a fragment) really stand out. These were quartets Schubert composed as a student and they capture well the energy of youth and have a beautifully simple quality that always makes Schubert stand out. The middle discs track his early career with a more mature motif development revealing a taste of the boldness to come from his later quartets. Not as melodic as the first quartets in my opinion, but a treat nonetheless. Then ah! the last three discs. "Rosamunde," "Death and the maiden," Quartettstatz and C 703. Can you possibly go wrong? Don't answer that. You know it doesn't get better!!

Now we come to recording quality. Well, the Melos Quartet recorded these in the mid 70's. They've been digitally touched up and well done. Still, not convincing enough to sound like new. Treble and Mid is alright but the Bass is really lacking and overall, it still lacks the full sound of recordings from the Emerson and Tokyo quartets. Still, with touchup, these recordings sound more like late 80's- Not Bad!

Customer Reviews:

FULL APPRECIATION.......2007-03-20

Until this bargain priced recording on three discs of the Emerson Quartet playing Schubert`s last four string quartets (included also is the String Quintet in C major, D956 featuring Rostropovich on cello), down through the years, I really did not have too much of an appreciation for Schubert's Quartets # 12, 13, 14, 15. For some reason their beauty eluded me. Now, with this recording, I love the works especially the #15 in G major. It is indeed filled with drama, pathos and great beauty. I don't think I can blame this "new found" appreciation on any maturation on my part. I really believe, it's soley due to the exquisite playing of the Emerson Quartet. They really play these works not like they are "walking on eggshells" but with vigor, passion and beauty. Also, I'm sure, that the wonderful recorded sound helped in my appreciation too.

I plan on seeking out more Schubert performed by the Emerson Quartet--they are so very good!!

Franz Schubert: String Quartets D 804 "Rosamunde", D 810 "Death and the Maiden", D 887, D 703 and String Quintet D 956

Average customer rating:

SO MUCH THAT I WANT EVEN MORE
Schubert's late chamber masterpieces
Awesome music, interesting performance
Schubert + Emerson = Listener Satisfaction
Good but not Best

Franz Schubert: String Quartets D 804 "Rosamunde", D 810 "Death and the Maiden", D 887, D 703 and String Quintet D 956
Franz Schubert , Emerson String Quartet , and Mstislav Rostropovich
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Intimate Voices

ASIN: B00000I0L8
Release Date: 1999-02-09

Tracks:

String Quartet In A Minor, D 804, Op. 29: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet In A Minor, D 804, Op. 29: 2. Andante
String Quartet In A Minor, D 804, Op. 29: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
String Quartet In A Minor, D 804, Op. 29: 4. Allegro moderato
String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 'Death And The Maiden': 1. Allegro
String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 'Death And The Maiden': 2. Andante con moto
String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 'Death And The Maiden': 3. Scherzo. Allegro molto - Trio
String Quartet In D Minor, D 810 'Death And The Maiden': 4. Presto

Tracks:

String Quartet In G Major, D 887: 1. Allegro molto moderato
String Quartet In G Major, D 887: 2. Andante un poco mosso
String Quartet In G Major, D 887: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio. Allegretto
String Quartet In G Major, D 887: 4. Allegro assai
Quartet Movement In C Minor, D 703: 5. Allegro assai
Quartet Movement In C Minor, D 703: 6. Andante (fragment)

Tracks:

String Quintet In C Major, D 956: 1. Allegro ma non troppo - Franz Schubert
String Quintet In C Major, D 956: 2. Adagio - Franz Schubert
String Quintet In C Major, D 956: 3. Scherzo, Presto - Trio, Andante sostenuto - Franz Schubert
String Quintet In C Major, D 956: 4. Allegretto - Franz Schubert

Customer Reviews:

SO MUCH THAT I WANT EVEN MORE.......2007-05-24

To say the least, nobody purchasing this set is likely to regret it. Just at the pedestrian level of value-for-quantity the value is brilliant, and at the artistic level it is more brilliant still. The professionalism and technical proficiency of the Emerson group probably needs little highlighting by now, but these players are musicians first and foremost. Apart from perfect intonation and ultra-perfect ensemble they have added variety to their unfailing beauty of sound. The start of the G major quartet, which can sometimes be a bit of an assault on the ears, is done ideally, with the exploding chords sonorous and majestic. At the other end of the volume-scale there is a wonderful breathless hush near the end of the variations in the D minor, and in this same quartet I don't think I ever heard the enchanting second subject of the first movement phrased so beautifully.

How do they relate to Schubert? For me, Schubert is a composer apart. All his compositions are early works, and in the five pieces comprised in this set I sense a steady advance in certainty and consistency. By the time of the quintet he is fully inside his own individual style, but at every stage of his development there are sequences in which someone or something beyond the merely human seems to be speaking or singing, using him as a mouthpiece, and it taxes even the greatest of his exponents to detect and express these. They are not a matter of one specific idiom, but of several, and the better the interpreters handle such passages the more I find myself longing for some ideal that I refuse to consider unreachable, because I have always heard it reached by someone at some time. One issue is represented by the second subject in the G major's first movement. When this comes round for the second time, in the recapitulation with new counterpoint, the Emersons are perfect for me. However at its first appearance this theme, with its muttering self-repetitions, has a somnambulistic air to it that the Novak quartet on my old LP capture ideally for me, and I wonder whether the Emersons are just a little bright-eyed and clean-limbed. The sense of that grew on me as the set progressed. The great melody from the first movement of the quintet (with Rostropovich on the second cello) suits me fine as they do it, but in the trio of the G major's scherzo while they sing the melody like angels what I want is not people like angels but the angels themselves. I have heard them in this movement before. In a different mode of expression there is the G major's last movement. Schubert produced a similar finale to his late C minor piano sonata, and I would have been more than satisfied with the Emersons here, particularly with the magnificent tone at the end, if I did not know Ogdon's performance of the sonata movement, one of the greatest interpretations I ever heard, with the whole huge piece seemingly taken in a single breath.

The very first and the very last things on this set are especially testing for interpreters of Schubert. The last movement in the quintet, a piece in a very special Schubertian idiom, is my idea of unqualified perfection here. The speed is not too fast, the variations in pace are superbly judged, there is the right sense of a heavy and almost dragging undertow to the rhythm in the accompaniment, and the phrasing of the second theme is something to live for. The set starts with the A minor quartet, and here I held my breath, because with that opening theme we are communing with something not of this world. Verdi, so immune in general to German influence and so gifted with melody himself, explicitly takes off his hat to it at the start of his Requiem. The balance of the melody against the hypnotic wavy accompaniment is perfect here, so is it my absolute ideal? It's somewhere near it at least.

Only one movement out of the whole eighteen seems to me not quite right. The last movement of the D minor is a little fast for my liking, but I could live with that. However the Emersons' fast tempo really does seem symptomatic of a sense that they have missed a deeper tone to the movement, and I felt that in the cadence-theme to the exposition and recapitulation in particular. My thoughts reverted to how this is done by the Gabrieli Quartet on my beloved old LP, with the impression of an apparition of the four horsemen of somewhere that makes me catch my breath to this day. On the other hand, for many people the high spot of such a set is likely to be the slow movement of the quintet, and I can report a reading to rank with the finest here, time held in abeyance as it should be and the control of the sustained long notes perfect beyond perfection.

The set dates from as long ago as 1988, I see, and I wonder how these divinely gifted artists do these pieces nearly twenty years on. The recording is excellent, an absolute necessity for playing like this. The liner notes are also good, except for the one on the quintet, and I seem not to have mentioned so far that we are given the outstandingly lovely fragment of the intended slow movement to the Quartettsatz. Altogether, an outstanding issue in nearly every way. I am reminded of Schubert's epitaph `A rich treasure and still fairer hopes'. These players are young enough to do these quartets again, as they are to do Beethoven's again, and I hope I am still young enough to hear how they do them.

Schubert's late chamber masterpieces.......2005-10-29

The strong points of this 3-CD set are: (1) the immeasurably rich compositions from Schubert, (2) the excellent coupling of the last four quartets with the quintet, (3) the above-average Emerson Quartet performance and (4) the superb value from DG. If you are not familiar with Schubert's chamber works, these four quartets and string quintet are very late masterpieces and some of Schubert's most intricate, mature and monumental compositions. These, along with Schubert's late piano sonatas, reveal glimpses into his deep struggles and pain (through the explosive, dissonant outbursts) but also tender moments of joy and repose as well. It seemed in his final year or two that he was emerging into a consumate maturity as a composer - which tragically was cut short by his early death (supposedly due to complications from Syphilis). The quintet is especially magnificant with each movement being as towering as the next.

There is no arguing that the Emerson Quartet stands among the finest current quartets around. Whether you gravitate to their particular style and sound is quite a personal matter. Certainly, the Emersons get strong accolades for their late Beethoven and recordings of more modern (and 'edgy') composers. In such bold, purcussive and chromatic music they seem to excel and find their greatest expression. Schubert - while 'edgy' in his own way in these late chamber works - still composed in the somewhat-restrained Vienesse tradition (being born and bread in Vienna himself) although parallels to Beethoven are abundent in the music here. Consequently, Schubert's chamber music has still a strong classical flavor and typical Schubertian lyricism. Like another reviewer mentioned, the Emerson Quartet's style is a bit more "direct" and "sharp" in terms of phrasing, articulations and tonality somewhat. Some call their style "A Manhattan style" - I guess suggesting the directness that people from Manhattan are known for (no offense to New Yorkers).

Regardless, the Emerson's style becomes more apparent when comparing with European quartets like the Alban Berg, the Quartetto Italiano and the Quatuor Mosaiques - all of which perform this music with what is often described as a more traditional "Old World Austrian style" (particular the Alban Berg Quartet who hails from Austria). So, while the Emerson's put forth dramatic, precise and interesting readings here, I think at times they "attack" the music too aggressively for its intent and period in history. Schubert was first and foremost a master of melody and lyricism - which does not go away even in his most dissonant and explosive momements. There just seems - at times - an overly-direct expressiveness and tempos that are driven a bit too quickly from the Emersons and a lack of the needed elegance and lyrical smoothness of Schubert's music when called for. But, such things are nuance and not a matter of right or wrong really. However, this quartet dynamic brings out the needed emotive effect in pieces like the potent G-major scherzo movement or the electifying Quartetsalz. Ditto that as well for the great quintet in C major - which a live recording with the legendary cellist, Rostropovich. So, the Emerson's playing here on the whole is impeccably precise and consumately professional so it is more a question whether you like their style nuances as compared to others.

Part of this above conclusion may be colored in part by the sound quality here on DG, which I found to be deficient in tone richness and resonant depth. It just sounds stark and dry - lacking the resonant, harmonic fullness and proper sound stage that allow music to "breath" more and sound more expansive and dramatic. But on the positive side, the instrument balance is great and the sound is full in volume and not "hissy" with a close-miked ambiance allowing clear differentiation of instruments if you like that kind of sound.

The Quartets who to me best capture these most complex and emotive quartets most fully are the (1) Alban Berg (quartets and especially the quintet), (2) the Quatuor Mosaiques (who play a most expressively and nuanced Rosamunde) and (3) the Quartetto Italiano (all quartets, especially the G major quartet which is truly staturesque in its harmonic depths). And for the great quintet, the Marlboro Festival recording (Sony) is highly recommended for its spirited live performance, along with the Alban Berg's "Great Recording of the Century" on EMI.

This DG 3-CD set is a fine recording and value - I just don't think it is the music in which this top quartet shines the brightest. I think the others listed above represent Schubert on a higher plane of excellence and more idiomatic to the composition. But, this DG coupling of the last four great quartets plus the monumental string quintet is fairly unique and priced to be the best value out there. Either way, what is most important is to explore these most wonderful chamber masterpieces.

Awesome music, interesting performance.......2004-07-22

These five compositions--Schubert?s last quartets and nearly his last work, the string quintet--have got to be one of the most underappreciated achievements in the history of artistic endeavor. Who else ever captured such an incredible spectrum of emotions in such exquisite poetry, without Romantic excess? Only Shakespeare comes to mind.

The Emerson performances of the quartets are extremely interesting?very high on the drama, maybe not so high on the poetry. There is immense energy and passion, the usual Emerson technical excellence, but not warmth exactly. Someone reviewing the Berg Quartet?s version of D.887 said he hasn?t gone back to Emerson after hearing ABQ (?honey has replaced the razor blades?). I feel like I couldn?t go back to ABQ after Emerson. The way the Emerson four do the first movement of D.887?I just get a lump in my throat and a little shiver down my spine every time I hear it. If the music can be played this way, why wimp out? I guess I?ll take the razor blades?.

The performance of the quintet with Rostropovich is of a different order: brilliant AND warm. I suggest checking out the reviews of the separately issued CD. This is music-making of a very high order indeed. If the set was the only way to get this performance of the quintet, I?d recommend buying the set. With the quality of the other performances, a fantastic deal.

Schubert + Emerson = Listener Satisfaction.......2002-02-23

First, these quartets are some of the best written to date so if you've not heard them, you should. Second, This is a great set to start with.
From the subtle first movement of Rosemunde, to the confused fury of Death and the Maiden, Emerson's interpretations are immense and multi-dimensional, constantly engaging the listener to jump further into the music. Not bad for a thirty some-odd dollar CD set.
The shining moment is the Quartettsatz. Already (in my opinion) THE BEST nine minutes of chamber music ever, Emerson adds to its appeal taking a bold flirty approach with it; Like a good crime novel, building an undeniable forward motion. It's so sad when after two minutes, the second movement cuts off. If the reader has no idea what I'm talking about, take my word. It will effect you.
The reason for the subtracted star is that, although Emersons in-your-face approach works well for the fast, bold movements, they can not fully shake it in the slower movements, where it sounds clumsey and innapropriate. The second movement in Rosamunde and D 703 could've done with more delicate treatment. For experienced Schubert listeners, Emerson adds a refreshing twist to these quartets. For the beginner, this is an exciting starting point.

Good but not Best.......2000-12-12

Unless you are in a hurry or care about the modern, digital sound, wait for Sony to release the Budapest Quartet version of these quartets on CD. That is the version to have; its absence from CD is one of the great gaps in the catalog.

Average customer rating:

I love this cd!
As good as it gets
Good Value, But Hardly the Best Recording
Flawed "Death and the Maiden"
Legendary Italians

Schubert: The Last Four Quartets
Franco Rossi , Franz Schubert , Piero Farulli , Elisa Pegreffi , Paolo Borciani , and Quartetto Italiano
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000041BX
Release Date: 1995-04-11

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D. 810 'Death And The Maiden': 1. Allegro
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D. 810 'Death And The Maiden': 2. Andante con moto
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D. 810 'Death And The Maiden': 3. Scherzo. Allegro molto
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D. 810 'Death And The Maiden': 4. Presto
String Quartet No. 13 In A Minor, D. 804 'Rosamunde': 1. Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 13 In A Minor, D. 804 'Rosamunde': 2. Andante
String Quartet No. 13 In A Minor, D. 804 'Rosamunde': 3. Menuetto
String Quartet No. 13 In A Minor, D. 804 'Rosamunde': 4. Allegro moderato

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 15 In G, D. 887: 1. Allegro molto moderato
String Quartet No. 15 In G, D. 887: 2. Andante un poco moto
String Quartet No. 15 In G, D. 887: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
String Quartet No. 15 In G, D. 887: 4. Allegro Assai
String Quartet No. 12 In C Minor, D. 703 'Quartettsatz': 1. Allegro assai

Amazon.com

Few quartets match this legendary Italian ensemble for tonal sheen and refinement. The ensemble imbues the famous variations movement of "Death and the Maiden" with a kind of choked inwardness that never dematerializes into bathos. One might wish the players to allow Schubert's extroverted moments their giddy head, rather than reigning things in. The group embarks upon the composer's other-worldly G Major Quartet with quiet, trembling tread, making you work with them as they divine the music's visionary beauties and dark truths. Listen to this performance in a quiet space, with the lights out. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

I love this cd!.......2007-02-16

How can people give this less than 4 stars!? The performance by the Quartetto Italiano is great. Very confident and powerful playing. If you like "in your face" recordings you will like this. Very close miked and "hot" sound. Clearly played and wonderfully recorded. There may be better individual recordings, but as a set of four this is a stone cold bargain. I would highly recommend this cd.

As good as it gets.......2007-02-11

I had not come across the Quartetto Italiano before which is not so surprising as these recordings were made 30 - 40 years ago. However it is a great delight to find them as their playing delightfully taut and energetic. Maybe the tempo is a little slower than expected in the Andante of the G major quartet but it still brings out some wonderful highlights.
It would be surprising to find a btter recording anywhere.
Phil Rowe

Good Value, But Hardly the Best Recording.......2005-09-02

When I like a body of work by a composer, I collect many different recordings. For me, Schubert's late string quartets are perfect. I own several versions including the Melos Quartet and the Auryn Quartet. This Philips recording is a recent addition, and while it is a fair value, the sound is mediocre and the interpretation is irritating to me(every movement is slow, slow, slow).

Try to find a copy of the Auryn Quartet if you can. The recordings are magnificent and the music is perfect.

Flawed "Death and the Maiden".......2005-06-03

I am surprised that Alan Lekan ("Legendary Italians" 5/31/05) is the only reviewer to comment on the "booming" or thumping sound that appears throughout quartet number 14 regardless of the quality of playback equipment. Although the performances are outstanding Philips should never have released this recording, or at least not without a warning. Recommended purchase only to those who have other versions of #14.

Legendary Italians.......2005-05-31

The great composer Franz Schubert is often talked about as a "late bloomer," referring to how his last compositions emerged with great maturity, emotional complexity and consumate skill. These last four quartets are part of this final, masterful phase of Schubert's short life as a composer and should be in every chamber-music collector's shelf.

Among the finest performances of these great quartets stands the recordings here from the legendary Quartetto Italiano - one of the top quartets in the 60's and 70's. The Quartetto Italiano really have a nack for penetrating the depths of such emotive works as #14 or #15 and bring out the intended drama and pathos within. Their powerful reading of the great, last quartet in G (#15) is especially noted by many major reviewers as one of the finest recordings of this complex masterpiece. The first movement in particular is epic in scale (lasting some 25 minutes) and exudes a powerful, anguished emotional mood which the Italianos bring out with tremedous depth and passion that can send chills down your spine. In all, their playing is of the highest caliber and just sounds superb in terms of synchonicity, intonation and phrasing. Their unison within cresendos is impeccable as was their ability to create sonorities on a "symphonic scale."

However, I found one quirky sonic flaw throughout the entire "Death and the Maiden" and other quartets when listening with headphones: there was an intermittent and jarring "booming" sound that is quite distracting. It is probably not be an issue without headphones, but be forewarned nevertheless. Overall, the sound quality is very good but not perfect given the transfer to CD from the 1960's analog tapes. There is not quite the depth and realism of more modern recordings in general, but this should not discourage purchase for most.

Other quartets to consider for these works are the Guarnari Quartet and, in some works, the Emersons - although the Emerson's style is more "direct" and less "old world graceful" like the Alban Berg's or lyrically soaring like the Quartetto Italiano's overall sound. The Quatuor Mosaiques also recorded a powerful reading of the Rosamunde quartet and others that ranks with the best. All-in-all, I would say the Italianos is of the finest SETS of Schubert's greatest (last) quartets - although some individual quartets may be better represented by other ensembles. When I hear music of this stature, it reminds me how unfortunate it was for Schubert that his enormous talent and output was not recognized and valued in his day. And these last quartets are only a small part of that heritage.

Schubert: String Quartets Nos. 13 "Rosamunde" & 14 "Death and the Maiden"

Average customer rating:

Powerful and dramatic - one of the best "Death & the Maiden"s

Schubert: String Quartets Nos. 13 "Rosamunde" & 14 "Death and the Maiden"
Franz Schubert , and Alban Berg Quartet
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Schubert: String Quartet in Cm No12, D703; String Quartet in G No15, D887, Op161
Schubert - String Quintet in C / Alban Berg Quartet · Schiff
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater; Scarlatti: Stabat Mater
Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words, etc.
Mozart: The Violin Concertos; Sinfonia Concertante

ASIN: B00000DNH3
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Customer Reviews:

Powerful and dramatic - one of the best "Death & the Maiden"s .......2006-10-02

These are studio recordings, dating from 1985 and completing a series begun in the late 70s with the C-major quintet and pursued in the early 80s with the 15th quartet and the "Trout" quintet. The "Death and the Maiden" here is not to be confused with the later, live recording made by the ABQ and released in 1998 - which I haven't heard, but which received warm reviews.

The Alban Berg Quartet of course needs no advocacy. They have secured a firm position at the very top of the list of major string quartets in activity today, and this particular CD was greeted with many positive reviews. Yet, as I oftentimes find myself to be not in agreement with the critics' approval (or disapproval), I am happy to report that, of the more than twenty different versions that I have heard of Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" (from the Capet Quartet's 1928 recording to the present - and see my other comments for reviews of some of those), this goes right at the top of the pile.

The formidable tension the ABQ elicits in the opening Allegro derives not from the adoption of frenzied speeds as did the Capet Quartet in 1928 or the Emerson and Petersen Quartets (DG and Capriccio) recently but rather, helped by close recording and spacious acoustics, from tremendous vigor of bow attack on the strings - but never at the expense of tonal beauty - and crescendos of symphonic scope, lending the movement's dramatic moments an almost desperate power. Their rather spacious tempo also allows them to express the lyrical charm of the 2nd theme with no slowdown, and throughout the movement's alternation of drama and charm they maintain a commendable unity of tempo, displaying a fine concern for the music's structural coherence - the opposite of what the Juilliard Quartet does in both its recordings from 1959 (RCA now on Testament) and 1982 (Sony) with its constant accordion-like tempo shifting.

The same coherence of tempo relationships is again a remarkable feature of their 2nd movement, the "Death and the Maiden" theme and variations. While they don't conjure the same other-wordly sonorities as did the Juilliard Quartet in 1959, their utterance of the theme is rather on the fast side and true to Schubert's "Andante con moto", and in the ensuing variations, unlike many, they don't sacrifice unity of tempo to dramatic effect. Günter Pichler's violin in the 1st and 4th variations and Valentin Erben's cello in the third deliver a deeply-moving chant, variation 3 is not rushed but massive and hefty. More questionable though is the crescendo they apply on both utterances of the 5th variation's first part, where Schubert prescribes it only in the repeat.

The same raging vigor of accents is at play in the Scherzo, taken at a relatively brisk tempo (but not as precipitately as the Petersen Quartet) and while the Alban Bergs apply a slowdown of tempo in the middle trio (Schubert wrote no tempo change here), unlike many who do they manage to lend it charm without mawkishness. Again the brisk Finale has vigor and power as well as strongly marked dynamic contrasts. It sounds like an implacable and desperate race to the abyss.

There are other legitimate approaches and there has been a number of recordings worthy of note (the one by the Emerson Quartet on DG is another favourite, as well as a hard-to-find one by the Fine Arts Quartet on the defunct Swiss label Lodia), but I tend to find most of them flawed in one respect (or movement) or the other. Not so with the Alban Berg Quartet, which I find convincing and gripping throughout.

The same interpretive options are at play in the "Rosamunde" (13th) Quartet. Those who expect charm and easy-going amiability, stay aloof. The Alban Bergs seize every opportunity to heighten the piece's drama, with powerful and strongly-marked accents. Yet their choices of tempo seem always well-judged, with an easy-going and amiable "allegro moderato" finale.

Schubert: String Quartets (Complete), Vol. 1

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Great Performances by Talented Musicians From The Eastern Bloc

Schubert: String Quartets (Complete), Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Schubert: String Quartets (Complete), Vol. 2
Schubert Complete String Quartets Vol. 6: Quartet No. 15 (1826); Five German Dances with seven trios and a coda, D. 9
Schubert: String Quartets (Complete), Vol. 3
Schubert: Complete Quartets, Vol. 5
Complete String Quartets 4

ASIN: B0000273VK
Release Date: 1994-01-05

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor D. 810, 'Death And The Maiden': Allegro
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor D. 810, 'Death And The Maiden': Andante con moto
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor D. 810, 'Death And The Maiden': Scherzo: (Allegro molto)
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor D. 810, 'Death And The Maiden': Presto
String Quartet No. 12 In C Minor D. 703, 'Quartettsatz': Allegro assai

Customer Reviews:

Great Performances by Talented Musicians From The Eastern Bloc.......2005-10-20

Naxos is probably the best of the smaller labels in classical music. Although Deutsche Grammophon and Phillips are probably the leading contenders along with Sony, they have to pay a high price to make a deal with the likes of Perlman or I Musici di Roma. This among other factors, increases the cost of manufacture and distribution. Naxos is a small independent European label that essentially saw a shrude opening in this market after the Cold War. With the collapse of communism in Russia and Eastern Europe, many state-paid musicians and orchestras found themselves out of work and disbanded. Many of them made deals with Naxos and that is why they are so cheap compared to other labels. The low price has nothing to do with the quality of performance however and that is evident by this performance here.

Schubert was an early Romantic who emulated Beethoven but who was certainly not his imitator. This is perhaps best demonstrated by String Quartet No. 14 which is one of his later works. The piece is named 'Death & The Maiden' because it was based on a German poem of the same title depicting a young but doomed little girl walking innocently along while Death hovers above her. The supporting strings sound more at a scherzo pace instead of the allegro dominating the movement. All of the strings rush in to make their presnce known at once. The suspenseful arangements in which the strings are playing both extended and short frantic notes creates a sense of suspense, that somehting is about to happen. The piece then changes to a more melodic pace but quited short notes behind remind the listener that something is still lurking in the background. This piece is quite advanced for its time and is something more akin to what Schumann or Brahms would compose over 30 years after Schubert's death.

Naxos is usually always a great buy unless you strictly prefer the reputed groups and musicians contracted by the major labels such as Phillips, DG, or Sony. The price is certainly not an indication of performance at all because Eastern Europe and Russia spent a lot of money for musical academies and performances which generated many great musicians. This album is a perfect example.

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Brahms: Complete String Quartets

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Brahms: String Quintets Nos. 1 & 2, Opp. 88 & 111
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Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Emerson String Quartet
Brahms: Complete Piano Quartets

ASIN: B00005BC5Q
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

Str Qt No.1 in c, Op.51 No.1: Allegro
Str Qt No.1 in c, Op.51 No.1: Romanze: Poco Adagio
Str Qt No.1 in c, Op.51 No.1: Allegro Molto Moderato E Comodo
Str Qt No.1 in c, Op.51 No.1: Allegro
Str Qt No.2 in a, Op.51 No.2: Allegro Non Troppo
Str Qt No.2 in a, Op.51 No.2: Andante Moderato
Str Qt No.2 in a, Op.51 No.2: Quasi Menuetto, Moderato
Str Qt No.2 in a, Op.51 No.2: Finale; Allegro Non Assai

Tracks:

Str Qt No.3 in B flat, Op.67: Vivace
Str Qt No.3 in B flat, Op.67: Andante
Str Qt No.3 in B flat, Op.67: Agitato - Allegretto Non Troppo
Str Qt No.3 in B flat, Op.67: Poco Allegretto Con Vars
Str Qt No.12 in c, D.703 'Quartettsatz': Allegro
Str Qt No.14 in d, D.810 'Death And The Maiden': Allegro
Str Qt No.14 in d, D.810 'Death And The Maiden': Andante Con Moto
Str Qt No.14 in d, D.810 'Death And The Maiden': Scherzo: Allegro Molto
Str Qt No.14 in d, D.810 'Death And The Maiden': Presto

Franz Schubert: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 4 - Quartet D.810 "Death & the Maiden" / Minuets & German Dances D.89 / Minuet D.86 - Leipzig String Quartet

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Franz Schubert: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 4 - Quartet D.810 "Death & the Maiden" / Minuets & German Dances D.89 / Minuet D.86 - Leipzig String Quartet
Ivo Bauer , Tilman Buning , Matthias Moosdorf , Christian Ockert , Andreas Seidel , and Leipzig String Quartet
Manufacturer: MD&G Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Schubert: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 3
Schubert: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1
Schubert: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 2
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Franz Schubert Complete String Quartets

ASIN: B0000021F9
Release Date: 1996-09-24

Tracks:

Quartet D 810 'Der Tod und das Madchen' D Minor: Allegro
Quartet D 810 'Der Tod und das Madchen' D Minor: Andante con moto
Quartet D 810 'Der Tod und das Madchen' D Minor: 1. Scherzo. Allegro molto - 2. Trio - 3. Scherzo da capo
Quartet D 810 'Der Tod und das Madchen' D Minor: Presto
Menuett D 86, D Major
Menuette und Deutsche D 89: Menuett No. 1 - 2 Trio I - 3 Menuett da capo - 4 Trio II
Menuette und Deutsche D 89: Menuett No. 2
Menuette und Deutsche D 89: 1. Menuett No. 3 - 2. Trio I - 3. Menuett da capo - 4. Trio II - 5. Menuett da capo
Menuette und Deutsche D 89: Menuett No. 4
Menuette und Deutsche D 89: 1. Menuett No. 5 - 2. Trio I - 3. Menuett da capo - 4. Trio II - 5. Menuett da capo
Menuette und Deutsche D 89: 1. Deutscher No. 1 - 2. Trio I - 3. Deutscher da capo - 4. Trio II - 5. Deutscher da capo
Menuette und Deutsche D 89: 1. Deutscher No. 2 - 2. Trio I - 3. Deutscher da capo - 4. Trio II - 5. Deutscher da capo
Menuette und Deutsche D 89: 1. Deutscher No. 3 - 2. Trio I - 3. Deutscher da capo - 4. Trio II - 5. Deutscher da capo
Menuette und Deutsche D 89: Deutscher No. 4
Menuette und Deutsche D 89: 1. Deutscher No. 5 - 2. Trio I - 3. Deutscher da capo - 4. Trio II - 5. Deutscher da capo

Amazon.com

Although this fourth volume of the series is all music for strings by Schubert, it's still a highly unusual coupling. The Leipzig String Quartet follows its intensely dramatic, involving performance of Schubert's best-known String Quartet with a group of early dances, music that was probably intended to accompany actual dancing. It's disorienting to go from such stark tragedy to such blissful innocence. But the ensemble handles each aspect of Schubert's style with equal conviction, leaving us with two fine contrasting experiences. Incidentally, Death and the Maiden is the answer to a great classical music trivia question: What major 19th-century work has four movements all in minor keys? There can't be many others, if any. --Leslie Gerber

Average customer rating:

One of the top classic albums of 1994!

Schubert: The Last Three Quartets

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E04Y
Release Date: 1994-12-06

Customer Reviews:

One of the top classic albums of 1994!.......2007-06-09

This set of String Quartets achieved an instantaneous cult status from its first release. This ensemble gave these last Quartets a mercurial approach, filled with a very strong presence that never shadowed its intrinsic lyricism.

You should notice that, in what concerns to intensity and vibrant expression we should get back to the early fifties when the majestic Konzerthaus gave us top notch performances of the whole corpus of these String quartets.

So I don't hesitate for a second at the moment to recommend you to acquire this set, which is absolutely indispensable in you collection, not only because its radiant significance, but we are talking about one of the great moments of the Western musical literature of any time.

A true musical gem!

Schubert: String Quartets no 13, 14 / Guarneri String Quartet

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Spellbinding and luminous
GUARNERI STILL SHINES

Schubert: String Quartets no 13, 14 / Guarneri String Quartet

Manufacturer: Arabesque Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Mozart: Six Quartets Dedicated to Haydn
Indivisible by Four: A String Quartet in Pursuit of Harmony

ASIN: B000000T9L
Release Date: 1997-04-22

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 13 In A Minor, Op.29: Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 13 In A Minor, Op.29: Andante
String Quartet No. 13 In A Minor, Op.29: Menuetto. Allegretto
String Quartet No. 13 In A Minor, Op.29: Allegro moderato
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D.810, Death And The Maiden: Allegro
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D.810, Death And The Maiden: Andante con molto
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D.810, Death And The Maiden: Scherzo. Allegro moto
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D.810, Death And The Maiden: Presto

Amazon.com

This is a wonderful record. After 34 years together, the Guarneri Quartet's balance, interplay, beauty, and homogeneity of tone are incomparable. The rhythm is flexible, the phrasing elegant, and the transitions and changes of mood and character seem as natural as breathing. The players' expressiveness is warm, noble, and deeply felt; they bring out every emotional nuance of these late great Schubert quartets. Written in the shadow of death, their somberness only deepened by occasional gleams of sunlight, they represent a triumph of inspired creativity over poverty, ill health, and public indifference. No. 13, suffused with a poignant, wistful yearning, cries out in despair and ends in resignation; No. 14 is dark, dramatic, tense, driven. In both, Schubert uses melodies from earlier works: in No. 13 the Rosamunde theme, in No. 14 not only the song of the title, but also an echo of Erlkonig. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Spellbinding and luminous.......2000-11-25

These two beautiful quartets, performed by superb musicians who have collaborated for over three decades, are spellbinding. The Guarneri Quartet has poured its long experience into every note and what results is tremendously moving, astonishing. What a realization of Schubert!

GUARNERI STILL SHINES.......1999-02-03

I find this recording of the A minor and D minor Shubert quartets to be outstanding. In their later years, they go a little slower than they once did, but to the service of the music. Get this recording. you won't be disappointed. The 2nd mvmt of the A minor alone will make you glad you bought it. And the Menuet of the same quartet would surely gain Schubert's approval.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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