Franz Schubert’s decision to use a second cello (rather than the second viola characteristic of Mozart’s quintets) permited him to explore the string trio texture in the middle of the ensemble, while making embellishments with the “bookend” combination of first violin and second cello at the extremes of the quartet range. The second cello also adds to the overall richness of the piece, contributing to a darker sound.
Schubert’s writing for the strings is symphonic and revealing in such details as frequent fanfare rhythms and repeated-note patterns, touches of “orchestration” that would have been assigned to winds and brass in one of his symphonies.
In doing that, Schubert revolutionized the art of writing for strings. He created sounds that no one had ever created before in a small string ensemble, constantly varying the texture as he did it. There are vast changes of light and color in the piece, as well as great harmonic variation.
Violinist Gideon Kramer created an arrangement of this music for string orchestra, and here it is for your enjoyment:
