Franz Schubert (1797-1828) - Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 114, D. 677 (1984) Cover Front Album Composer Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Orchestra / Ensemble I Hagen Quartet Length 43:57 Format CD Genre Chamber; Quintet Index 462 Out of Print Yes Musicians Soloist Schiff; Posch Credits Producer Michael Haas Label Decca Track List 01 Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 114, D. 677: I. Allegro vivace 14:08 02 Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 114, D. 677: II. Andante 06:53 03 Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 114, D. 677: III. Scherzo 04:33 04 Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 114, D. 677: IV. Theme and Variations 08:13 05 Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 114, D. 677: V. Finale: Allegro giusto 10:10 Personal Purchase Date 11/16/1998 Value $16.50 Store BMG Condition 100% Nationality Austrian Period Romantic Details Studio Sofiensaal, Vienna Catalog Number 411 975-2 Live No Recording Date 12/1/1983 Spars DDD Reissue No Sound Stereo Notes Andras Schiff: Piano Members of the Hagen Quartet: Clemens Hagen Veronika Hagen Lukas Hagen Alois Posch: Doublebass Essay: Jan Smaczny, 1984 Gramophone review: "I have no detailed information about the Hagens but understand they come from Vienna. Andras Schiff has become known this decade for playing Bach on the piano with a quite individual luminous touch; it is very suited to Schubert too. Like Ingrid Haebler (Philips), he seeks to charm in this quintet without dominating the balance or emphasizing his technique. Some will prefer Brendel's more exhibitionist playing (also Philips) which tends to make the music into a concert work rather than one for the home; his brisk tempos contribute to a concerto effect in some pages. The music poses several tempo problems. All the above ensembles increase speed, if only slightly, at bar 25 of the first movement; before that, the very hushed playing on the new LP is memorable. And Var. 5 in the fourth movement must go a bit slower than its predecessor. But what about the Trio of the Scherzo? Had Schubert really wanted it as much slower than the main section as Schiff makes it, he could not fail to have marked a change. The Gilels/Amadeus (DG) record shows that a very slight change is best. Schiff sounds very tame after one has heard Brendel's assault on the main Presto section. I like the simplicity of Schiff's approach early on in the variations, but in Var. 2 the viola, which has the tune, tends to be eclipsed by the cello; the balance is better on the Haebler and Brendel records. Schiff is alone in making the long repeat in the finale, and his playing is a joy in the sections that sound like another variation on that trout song; here Brendel snatches too much at the dotted rhythms. But in general he brings more excitement to this movement than anyone else. "I have little to add to what I wrote about this performance in February. It has, I think, a shade more clarity on CD which means that it is very good indeed, and the playing has an irresistible freshness and charm. A photograph of the three members of the Hagen Quartet who are involved here makes them all look about 20 and as charming as their playing"