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
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Henschel String Quartet (Christoph
Henschel, Markus Henschel, violins; Monika Henschel, viola; Matthias D.
Beyer, cello) 
