Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Tokyo String Quartet
"Schubert: 'Quartettsatz'" (CD)

This 2-CD Vox Box set found its way into the CD player a couple weeks ago for their recording of Brahms' C minor string quartet.  Both the Brahms and Schubert's single-movement 'Quartettsatz' are going to be featured on a recital I have to play in a few months, so technically this is all a bunch of homework.

The Tokyo String Quartet is saying farewell during the 2012 - 2013 season as its original members have been at it for over 30 years now. This recording demonstrates why their presence will be sadly missed.

I think Schubert is a wonderful composer - except that he found it necessary to lengthen every composition to an unbearable length. Why must every two-page section be repeated?! I had the fortune of working with a very talented piano trio this summer that had just spent several weeks immersed in Schubert's piano trios.  They had a far more in-depth approach in their understanding, but a part of me still takes a small pleasure in this 7-minute stand-alone composition.  All killer, no filler.
I may start over-using that phrase.

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