Schubert:
- String Quartets Vol. 1
This CD brings us Schubert’s famous ‘Rosamunde’ Quartet in A minor, and his early quartet in D major D94. Schubert’s String Quartets are among the most frequently performed quartets of the repertoire. These works express Schubert’s amazing gift as a melodist within the structure of a string quartet.
The young German Diogenes Quartet has already recorded extensively, in the rare repertoire of Humperdinck, Haas and Gernsheim; this new release presents their excellent performance qualities: tight and excellent ensemble playing, and a passionate drive to deliver the emotional content of the works they love to play.
Selections on this CD are as follows:
Schubert:
- String Quartet No. 7 in D major, D94
- Andante in C, D 29
- String Quartet No. 13 in A minor, D804 ‘Rosamunde’
Performed by the Diogenes Quartet:
- Stefan Kirpal, violin
- Gundula Kirpal, violin
- Julia Barthel, viola
- Stephen Ristau, violoncello
With over 600 lieder as well as sacred, chamber, orchestral and piano music to his name, Franz Schubert was one of the most prolific composers of his generation.
Many of Franz Schubert’s instrumental works remained unpublished during his lifetime, and it was only in the decades following his untimely death in 1828 that Schubert’s genius came to be fully appreciated.
This CD begins with the 1823 ‘Rosamunde’ Quartet No.13 in A minor D804. The work earned its nickname from the slow movement – a set of variations on a theme from the composer’s incidental music to the play ‘Rosamunde’ (written the year before).
Also featured is the Quartet in D, D94, which, despite its late numbering, is now believed to be one of Schubert’s earliest string creations. Here the dramatic harmonic shifts point to a composer who, even in his teenage years, was already seeking to become more original in his compositions.
Formed in Munich in 1996, the Diogenes Quartet performs these works by combining freshness of interpretation with technical excellence.
Here is the Piano Quartet No. 1 by Friedrich Gernsheim. Performed by Diogenes Quartet and Andreas Kirpal.
I. Allegro Ma non Troppo
II. Allegro Vivace
III. Andante Con Moto
IV. Allegro Con Brio
http://youtu.be/x4Ufo5aUTlc
Tags: Diogenes Quartet, Schubert, Rosamunde, Kirpal, Barthel, Ristau