Schubert’s original song, “Die Forelle,” was so popular that it was published several times within Schubert’s lifetime – once in 1820, again in 1825, and again in 1827, when it was assigned Opus 32.
In his Quintet, Schubert decided not only to integrate “Die Forelle”, but to use the song for a theme and variations in the fourth of five movements.
The first movement begins with a dramatic upward flourish; then several melodies, similar to the “Trout” theme, follow throughout the movement.
The second movement, marked Andante, begins with the piano playing the lyrical first theme in bare octaves. A passage of arpeggios leads to the second theme, a solemn tune of viola and cello, against a busy background in the other parts.
The rapid and lively Scherzo that follows the Andante contains a more demure Trio couched within the two Scherzo sections. Of the work, this movement has the most spikes of contrast, with sudden surges in dynamics.
Following the Scherzo’s energetic drive, the Theme and Variations begins and continues – all of it based on the original song.
As the first three movements led to the “Trout” theme and variations, so the fifth movement – an Allegro giusto played in the Hungarian style by the violin and viola – is a final response to it.
Listen now to this amazing, angelic music:
