a r t i s t : Franz Schubert (The Lindsays)
t i t l e : String Quintet D.956/String Quartet D.810-Death And Th
d a t e : 2001
l a b e l : ASV
g e n r e : Classical
r l s. d a t e : Jun/2008
t r a c k s : 09
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 146,5 MB
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Reviews From Amazon About This Performance:
It appears that reviewer sky5361 and I are severely at odds
over the merits of the Lindsays' recording of the Schubert
Quintet. Interestingly enough we do agree on one matter. I
agree that the Lindsays are not a perfect ensemble. False
intonation and the occasional "scrappy" attack do find there
way (sometimes often) into their performances. However, to be
fair, I've never played or have seen a professional live
quartet play anything without similar problems. On this point
I find it refreshing that the Lindsays choose to leave in
blemishes if their musical point has been made rather than
include a vanity splice to prevent reviewers from attacking
their technical abilities. As far as musicianship is
concerned, I (and many other professioanl chamber music
colleagues of mine) believe the Lindsays are second to none in
there ability to capture the spirit of the compositions. On a
purely technical point, the Lindsays are masterful at their
abilities to balance to one another in a fashion that allows
every note that needs to be heard ring in total clarity. There
is no lack of sensitivity to what is important in the musical
argument. The individual playing may not be as fine as some,
but faulting them for such a matter would condemn similar
artists such as Pablo Casals and Yehudi Menuhin who were by no
means technical giants in comparison to some of there
colleagues. To "wrap it up" let me conclude by saying that the
Lindsays will not be for everyone, but I would suggest
experiencing their playing first before making an opinion.
This CD was the first performance of theirs that I heard and
needless to say, I would be disappointed if I never got to
know their playing.
*
I too cannot help but make some of my own observations about
this set by the Lindsays. I have never read the Penguin Guide
as I find it inferior to the similar publication produced by
Gramophone. This led me to the purchase of the Busch rendition
of 1937, which I found fascinating if at times frustrating
soundwise. My purchase of the Lindsay set came as a result not
of any biased guide or opinion but as a result of the
impression their recording of the late Beethoven Quartets left
upon me.
Who cares if some English hack with a nationalist streak says
the Lindsays' are the new messiahs or if American hacks of a
similar vain say something quite the opposite - I for one have
more discernment than to look to the opinions of others to
ensure the 'validity' of my purchase. I find it far more
pleasurable to make the discovery - pleasant or otherwise -
myself.
As for the current recording, whilst I still prefer the Berg
for the quintet, I found the performance wonderful with the
Lindsay's 'raw style' never getting in the way of the music.
As for the Adagio I only wish it could go on forever... of
course that's just me.
The Lindsays are a fine outfit, and our comprehension and
interpretation of the pieces they have recorded and performed
is greater for it.
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Cd01
01-String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D810-Allegro [16:56]
02-String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D810-Andante con [13:49]
moto
03-String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D810-Trio [03:50]
04-String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D810-Presto [09:08]
05-String Quartet No. 12 In C Minor, D703-Quartettsatz [09:40]
Cd02
01-String Quintet In C, D956-Allegro ma non troppo [20:41]
02-String Quintet In C, D956-Adagio [17:27]
03-String Quintet In C, D956-Scherzo - Trio [10:02]
04-String Quintet In C, D956-Allegretto [09:33]
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