Search - Guarneri Quartet, Leonard Rose :: Schubert: String Quintet D. 956; Quartettsatz D. 703

During its distinguished 40-year career, the Guarneri Quartet has generated an enormous discography. This recording of the 1970s must be among its earliest. It is totally amazing. The group's unique, instantly recognizable characteristics are already fully in evidence: its beautiful, expressive sound, its unanimous, aristocratic style, its unfailing sense of pacing, its poised, organic transitions. Every note is alive and expressive; every line stands out in a seamlessly woven tapestry. In the Quintet's unusual scoring, the viola holds the balance between two high and two low voices. Michael Tree makes his part a source of tensile yet flexible strength. The mercurial first movement encompasses melting lyricism and high drama; in the second, the anguished middle section is much faster, making the return to the original celestial mood problematic. The Scherzo is robust, the Trio tragic; the Finale is an exuberant, austere, gracious dance. The "Quartetsatz" is urgent, ominous; the lyrical second theme floats serenely. The Guarneri recorded the Quintet again in the 1990s with cellist Bernard Greenhouse--tracing the differences and similarities is fascinating. The two violins sound uncannily equal, the second cello more prominent; the slow movement tempo changes are more balanced. The basic concept seems unchanged, but the projection is heightened and intensified with greater freedom, spontaneity, ardor, repose, daring, breadth and depth of feeling. Two great recordings--both indispensable. --Edith Eisler