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Franz Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Quartet No.14 in D minor, D810, ‘Der Tod und das Madchen’ (1824) [38’58] String Quartet No.10 in E flat, D87 (1813) [24’27] Henschel String Quartet (Christoph Henschel, Markus Henschel, violins; Monika Henschel, viola; Matthias D. Beyer, cello) Rec. Bürgerhaus Pullach, on July 23rd-24th (D810) and December 22nd, 1997 (D87). DDD ARTE NOVA 74321 59220-2 [63’25]

This is an identical coupling to the Yggdrasil Quartet’s new Schubert disc on BIS (CD1201: see my review). Both quartets have youth on their side, and enthusiasm shines through the Henschel’s playing. First impressions are positive: the first movement of ‘Death and the Maiden’ is suave and confident, if a bit on the surface of the music (more depth to the recording would doubtless have helped matters, also). Nevertheless, their seriousness of intent in the famous Variations on the song that gives the quartet its nickname is captivating. A particular highlight of this performance is the third movement Trio, which sighs most affectingly. The Presto is exactly that, scampering along infectiously and leading towards and exciting close, although the Yggdrasil’s way with the melodic ‘flick’ in the opening bars is surely closer to what Schubert intended (it is almost lost in the Henschel performance). The E flat Quartet, D87, suits the Henschel’s light approach. They play with much character (and energy in the second movement, a Prestissimo Scherzo). Only the over-light recording detracts from the Adagio. Overall, they provide a fair amount of pleasure, without completely entering Schubert’s world. The difference between the Henschel and the Yggdrasil makes it worth the extra expenditure for the BIS disc, however, which is altogether a classier product. Colin Clarke Advertising Rates Visitor stats MusicWeb International has over 40,000 Classical CD reviews on offer Discs received Having a problem Donating? Gerard Hoffnung Concerts & The Bricklayer Story MusicWeb can now offer you discs from the following catalogues: Prices include postage There will be NO VAT Rises [Acte Préalable £13.50] [Arcodiva £12.00] [Avie from £6.25] [British Music Society £12.00] [CDACCORD from £13.50 ] [ClassicO £12.50] [Hallé from £11] [Heritage £10] [Hortus £14.99 ] [Lyrita ONLY £11.75 ] [Nimbus Special prices] [Northern Flowers £13.50] [REDCLIFFE £11 ] [Sheva £11] [Tactus £11.50 ] [Talent from £12.00 ] [Toccata Classics £10.50 ] Musicweb Special Offers Monthly Best Buys   New Releases New Releases   MusicWeb sells the Polish catalogue CDAccord £10.50 post free W-W MusicWeb sells the Arcodiva catalogue £12.00 post free W-W £11.75 post-free world- wide     Google Ads - for information about privacy matters, click here.  Amazon Musicweb International is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

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