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Schubert: String Quintet - Amsterdam Sinfonietta Soloists

Schubert: String Quintet - Amsterdam Sinfonietta Soloists

Channel Classics  CCS SA 36215

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Chamber


Franz Schubert: String Quintet

Amsterdam Sinfonietta Soloists


One of the icons of chamber music, Schubert's celebrated String Quintet is heard in an unusual version on this recording. Schubert's work was styled after those of Boccherini and Onslow, which featured two violins, viola and two cellos. After hearing the double bass virtuoso Domenico Dragonetti, Onslow decided to add an alternative bass part to replace the second cello part. Schubert might have done the same if he had heard Dragonetti play, so the Amsterdam Sinfonietta commissioned this Marijn van Prooijen adaptation, and the double bass part is performed here by Rick Stotijn.

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Comment by Jan Arell - February 17, 2016 (1 of 2)

A cornerstone in the history of chamber music, this recording of Schubert's String Quintet has caused a bit of controversy.
The reason is that the second cello here is substituted by a bass, although smaller than usual and tuned higher.
This is not a review, rather a short reflection after hearing this Channel recording for the first time.

I really like this one. The added bass gives this glorious music -- probably my favourite in all chamber music ever -- a firmer foundation and the moments when it may become a bit obtrusive are few and far between. Some reviewers have disliked the record in those parts where the celli are 'duelling'. But in fact, the bass is often played in the original pitch, so these critics may have misinterpreted the extra weight that the larger body of this instrument creates.

Of course, you first have to hear the String Quintet in the original setting before getting this one. There are numerous recordings, a few in SACD. The only other recording I own is a CD from the mid 80's, Lindsay Quartet with an extra cello player on the ASV label. But I do recommend it as a second version.

Performance: 4 stars
Recording (mch): 5 stars

Jan Arell
edits: a lot

Comment by Marcus DiBenedetto - December 9, 2020 (2 of 2)

Admittedly, I am a Rick Stotijn fan and his works with the double bass. In this performance (SACD Multichannel), the bass gives the entire piece weight and depth. I was especially thrilled with the last minute of track 4 (finale Allegro). WOW! Make sure your subwoofers can handle the deep bass notes with good transients. I listened to the Tokyo String Quartet version (HMU 807427, SACD Multichannel) as they used more familiar instruments as a comparison. Each recording is excellent in their own right. Either one, in my opinion, does great justice to this work and I'm happy to listen to them both. But, as I said, Rick Stotijn's bass makes this recording transcend usual chamber music and provides some added excitement that is well worth a listen.

Marcus DiBenedetto
Las Vegas, NV