Composer: Artur Schnabel
Performer: Pellegrini Quartett, Ravinia Trio, Benedikt Koehlen
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: CPO
Catalogue: 9998812
Release: 2005
Size: 235 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
String Quartet No. 5
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Vivace ma non troppo
03. III. Adagio molto
04. IV. Presto
String Trio, Op. 30
05. I. Allegretto ma non troppo
06. II. Larghetto
07. III. Moderato ed energico
7 Piano Pieces
08. No. 1, Largo
09. No. 2, Allegretto
10. No. 3, Andantino
11. No. 4, Agitato vivace
12. No. 5, Lento
13. No. 6, Vivace
14. No. 7, Epilogue. Comodo sereno
Like Rachmaninov, Artur Schnabel thought of himself as a composer who made his living as a pianist. Unlike Rachmaninov, Schnabel never achieved fame as a composer; indeed, few of the millions of listeners who know and love Schnabel’s recordings of Beethoven’s piano sonatas know or care about Schnabel’s three symphonies, his five string quartets, his many other chamber works, his piano works, or his early songs. This disc from CPO features three works from Schnabel’s American period, the last decade of his life: the Fifth String Quartet (1940), the Piano Trio (1945), and the Seven Piano Pieces (1946-1947). Schnabel’s music is melodiously atonal; harmonically, vigorously intellectual; and structurally and passionately restrained emotionally. At least in these performances, it is a highly appealing and deeply engaging combination. The Pellegrini-Quartett, the Ravinia Trio, and pianist Benedikt Koehlen all play with supple expression, sensitive balances, and strong rhythms, letting Schnabel’s music sound like a less neurotic Berg, a more attractive Schoenberg, or a more accessible Webern. While not perhaps for every listener, Schnabel’s music will at least be of interest to anyone who enjoys Krenek or Hindemith. CPO’s sound is deep and warm, but a bit dry.