Search - Schubert, Alban Berg Quartet, Schiff :: Quintet in C

There's no exposition repeat in the first movement, and no additional coupling, which means that for some people this disc will seem to offer short measure. That's an illusion, for this is a truly great performance of Schubert's magnificent string quintet, and it's hard to imagine a more fulfilling listening experience. Even without the repeats, the piece is nearly 50 minutes long, and such is the concentration and intensity conveyed in this performance that time seems to stand still, particularly in the haunting slow movement. In addition to the superb playing, EMI seems to have caught the players in an ideal acoustic environment--the sound has a depth and richness unmatched on disc elsewhere. --David Hurwitz