Our Summer BAL no. 27: Schubert Trout Quintet

[gurnemanz]

Hmm ... I thought I had lots of recordings of this, but in fact I have four:

Schubert Quartett with Jorg Demus
Melos Ensemble members with Lamar Crowson
Vienna Octet members with Clifford Curzon
Pro Arte Quartet with Artur Schnabel

I think if I could only have one it would be the Melos Ensemble. Its the version of the work which I first heard and, as usually seems to be the case, is the one which remains the favourite.

I have the same last three + a fortepiano piano version, the only well-known work on this interestingly out-of-way bargain collection on Brilliant Classics. It probably wouldn't be a favourite performance but is worth hearing.

[AmpH]

I very much like the earlier mono Vienna players recording with Walter Panhofer ( part of an excellent 2 cd Eloquence set which includes the Schubert and Mendelssohn Octets ) as well as Curzon's recording with the Amadeus Quartet on BBC Legends.

My favourite by far however, still remains the Brendel / Cleveland Quartet recording on Philips.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Philips/E4757574

[amateur51]

I very much like the earlier mono Vienna players recording with Walter Panhofer ( part of an excellent 2 cd Eloquence set which includes the Schubert and Mendelssohn Octets ) as well as Curzon's recording with the Amadeus Quartet on BBC Legends.

My favourite by far however, still remains the Brendel / Cleveland Quartet recording on Philips.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Philips/E4757574

That's a sensible price too, AmpH - many thanks

[Rolmill]

I have the same last three + a fortepiano piano version, the only well-known work on this interestingly out-of-way bargain collection on Brilliant Classics. It probably wouldn't be a favourite performance but is worth hearing.

Gurnemanz, I was looking for opinions on this set on another thread recently - how do you rate the repertoire and the performances?

[BBMmk2]

Hmm ... I thought I had lots of recordings of this, but in fact I have four:

Schubert Quartett with Jorg Demus
Melos Ensemble members with Lamar Crowson
Vienna Octet members with Clifford Curzon
Pro Arte Quartet with Artur Schnabel

I think if I could only have one it would be the Melos Ensemble. Its the version of the work which I first heard and, as usually seems to be the case, is the one which remains the favourite.

Even the Pro Arte Quartet/Schnabel recording? I would have thought with these artists, it be a first choice? (Not knowing this recording but going by the artists involved).

[umslopogaas]

It would be a difficult choice and if I was allowed more than one I think Schnabel/Pro Arte would be my second choice. However, it was recorded in 1935 and my "Great Recordings of the Century" LP is in mono, transferred from 78s, I assume, and the sound is somewhat vintage, whereas the Melos version is in good, modern (for its day) stereo. Not that I mind vintage sound, I have quite a few historic recordings, but if I could only have one version I think I would go for a good modern stereo. I occasionally get to play music to friends and most of them find vinyl LPs that feature fifties/sixties recordings quite quaint enough, let alone those that feature performances from the days when their parents were young.

I have quite a few CDs as well, but as it happens, none of The Trout.

[clive heath]

You can checkout my version of the Schnabel / Pro Arte "Trout" on

http://www.cliveheathmusic.co.uk/transcriptions_07.php

under the sub-heading "Classical"

[umslopogaas]

Clive, I'm sure that's the same as my "Great Recordings of the Century" LP version. According to the notes, it was recorded on 16 Nov. 1935, but not issued until Sept. 1936.

[clive heath]

Well, it's the same music but it's my own transfer from my own 78s.

[umslopogaas]

Ah, thanks Clive, a subtle but important difference. I hadnt appreciated you were one of that rare band that worked with 78s, I only go as far back as LPs and still most of my friends have no idea what I'm talking about. I shall investigate.

Incidentally, I live alone in a four bedroom house, and yet all the spare wall space is taken up with shelves to accommodate my LPs. If you work with 78s, you must either live in a mansion, or own a warehouse. Where on earth do you stash them all?

[rauschwerk]

... Curzon's recording with the Amadeus Quartet on BBC Legends.

Thanks for the reminder! I had quite forgotten that that one is on my shelves. It's much better recorded than Curzon's 1957 version. His tone, in particular, is far better caught.

A period instrument version (nla it would seem) is by Steven Lubin and the AAM Chamber Ensemble. Lubin uses a copy of an 1824(ish) Graf and it's most enjoyable provided you are happy with every single repeat including the second-half one in the Finale. Personally I find that to be rather too much of a good thing.

[french frank]

Alpers has asked for a separate sub forum (under CD Review) for Our Summer BAL. Threads to be moved there. Please start all new suggestions there (link on the homepage, after BAL).

[verismissimo]

Alpers has asked for a separate sub forum (under CD Review) for Our Summer BAL. Threads to be moved there. Please start all new suggestions there (link on the homepage, after BAL).

Thanks to you both!

[verismissimo]

Gurnemanz, I was looking for opinions on this set on another thread recently - how do you rate the repertoire and the performances?

This arrived yesterday: http://www.mdt.co.uk/romantic-piano-...sics-4cds.html

It contains my first and only HIP recording of the Trout Quintet, which I've now listened to twice with great enjoyment.

Really looking forward to making the acquaintance of all the other works with identical forces (who knew?) by Ries, Limmer, Hummel, Dussek, Onslow and Cramer. The fortepianist Riko Futado uses an array of contemporary instruments.

[gurnemanz]

This arrived yesterday: http://www.mdt.co.uk/romantic-piano-...sics-4cds.html

It contains my first and only HIP recording of the Trout Quintet, which I've now listened to twice with great enjoyment.

Really looking forward to making the acquaintance of all the other works with identical forces (who knew?) by Ries, Limmer, Hummel, Dussek, Onslow and Cramer. The fortepianist Riko Futado uses an array of contemporary instruments.

Sorry not to have got back. When I got them, I listened to the discs once through with great pleasure, but could not claim to have really got to know the works. There is always a frisson about discovering entirely new works - in this case new composers. I particularly like the piano quintet as a form and found the works interesting in themselves as well as providing a historical backdrop to better known material.

This twofer , where I got to know the delightful Rimsky Quintet, is another favourite