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Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
String Quartet in C minor, D. 703 (I: Quartettsatz; II: Andante (Fragment))
(1820) [10:58]
Quintet for Two Violins, Viola, and Two Cellos in C major,
D.956 (1828) [51:47]
Artemis
Quartet (Natalia Prischepenko, Gregor Sigl (violins); Friedemann
Weigle (viola); Eckart Runge (cello)); Truls Mørk (cello)
(Quintet)
rec. Teldex Studio, Berlin, Germany, 26-30 August 2007.
DDD
VIRGIN
CLASSICS 5021132 [62:50]  |
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Although there
have been many laudable recordings of Schubert’s late masterpiece,
the String Quintet in C, the arrival of a new one is the
occasion for celebration. Most listeners undoubtedly have
their favorite interpretations of this great chamber work
and it is unlikely that this new version by the Artemis Quartet
and cellist Truls Mørk will alter that. However, this version
is individual enough to merit serious attention. The disc
is made all the more valuable in offering not just the well-known Quartettsatz,
but also the fragment of the following slow movement that
shows where Schubert was leading. This account of the Quartettsatz is
blistering, taken at a swift tempo yet with every note very
clear. Comparing it to the version by the venerable Quartetto
Italiano, the latter’s version seems plodding and heavy.
This is then followed by what can only be described as a
meltingly beautiful few measures that makes it all the sadder
that Schubert never finished the work. As it stands, the Quartettsatz is
a masterpiece in itself, much as is the Unfinished Symphony.
I cannot imagine it being better performed than here by the
Artemis.
The performance
of the Quintet is also excellent and takes a fresh view of
the work. In many ways the interpretation is more extrovert
and romantic than other accounts from the past. I am thinking
here in particular of those by the Alban Berg Quartet with
Heinrich Schiff on EMI and by Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma and company
on Sony. Where the ABQ is rather austere and presents the
work shorn of many of its repeats, an account that frankly
has never appealed to me, and Stern et al are mellower
and more relaxed, this new one brings out the dramatic elements
with great force and then relaxes into the more lyrical ones,
including the first movement’s second subject. Undoubtedly
it will not be the only way I want to hear this great work
performed, but it is nonetheless one to reckon with. The
more I listen to it — and I have now heard it more than a
half-dozen times — the more I appreciate it. The musicians
really listen to each other and one is more aware of the
inner voices than usual. The balance among the five performers
seems about perfect to me and the quintet is recorded upfront
enough to hear all the detail and yet distant enough to project
an overall warmth.
The great Adagio is
taken at a nice flowing tempo, yet never seems rushed. Again
the balance between the bowed melody and plucked accompaniment
is ideal. The agitated central section is very dramatic and
contrasts nicely with the main theme. The Artemis’s control
of dynamics also leaves little to be desired. The Scherzo
is played with gusto at a lively tempo, while the Trio is
appropriately withdrawn and intimate. The final movement
is slightly slower than the above-mentioned versions, but
has a true allegretto feel. One is again especially
aware of the inner voices, yet the melody never fails to
dominate as it should. Truls Mørk, outstanding as he is,
is a real team player and adds much to the success of the
performance.
To sum up,
this recording sheds new light on a work that is beloved
but does not readily reveal all its secrets. If at times,
the contrasts between the lyrical and dramatic elements seem
more pronounced than usual, the overall impression left is
one of real belief in the music and the ability to put it
across with true depth of expression. When I want to hear
something more genial, I will turn to Stern et al on
Sony — and don’t forget the classic Stern, Schneider, Katims,
Tortelier, Casals recording from the 1952 Prades festival
(also on Sony). In the meantime, I am thoroughly enjoying
this dramatic new account. The disc is made all the more
attractive by its substantial filler.
Leslie Wright
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