The Vienna Octet - Schubert: The 'Trout' Quintet/ Curzon

Mastered by Willem Makee

"Analogue Productions has followed up on their highly acclaimed series of 25 RCA Living Stereo SACDs with a smaller group of 9 Decca SACDs. ... Though Schubert's 'Trout' Quintet is obviously not a sonic showpiece, it was probably a good idea to include some well-known chamber music in this group of recordings." — Arthur Lintgen, The Absolute Sound, Feb. 8, 2019. Read the entire review here.

"The Vienna Octet's remake, recorded with Sir Clifford Curzon in 1957 when Boskovsky was still leading, is one of those gramophone classics difficult to knock off its perch." — Gramophone

In the summer of 1819, Franz Schubert stayed in the Austrian town of Steyr where he began work on the composition of the five-movement Piano Quintet in A major, op. 114 (D 667) which was commissioned by the cellist Sylvester Paumgartner. The work was completed in the autumn and soon achieved great popularity under the name of Trout Quintet, which it owes to the Andantino fourth movement — a set of variations on the song of the same name.

The work has remained highly popular right up to the present day and so it comes as no surprise to find this highly praised recording, made with such renowned artists as the pianist Clifford Curzon, the violinist Willi Boskovsky and other members of the Vienna Octet, being reissued.

The ensemble's refreshing performance reflects the sparkling lightness and virtuosity of the work. The well-balanced recording with its full tone certainly deserves a place in every music lovers collection.

Recording: October 1957 at Sofiensaal, Vienna by James Brown
Production: Erik Smith

1. First Movement: Allegro vivace

2. Second Movement: Andante

3. Third Movement: Scherzo (Presto)

4. Fourth Movement: Theme and Variations (Andantino)

5. Fifth Movement: Allegro giusto

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