Franz Schubert composed his C Major String Quintet in 1828, just months before his death, and it was only premiered in Vienna in 1850.
Performer Biography
Arvo Lang, one of the cellists, plays a cello made by Giovanni Grancino in 1697, on loan from Fazenda Ipiranga ('Blue de Brasil' Coffee) in Brazil.
Compositional Technique
Boccherini's String Quintet in E Major, Op. 13 No. 5, features brilliant and virtuosic writing for both cello parts, which was unusual for its time.
Compositional Technique
The ending of Schubert's C Major String Quintet is puzzling, concluding with a unison downward half-tone gesture and an open octave chord that provides no harmonic resolution.
Performer Biography
Simone Zgraggen, the violinist, plays the 1680 'Golden Bell' Stradivari, which is on loan from a private Swiss collection.
Compositional Technique
Schubert's C Major String Quintet breaks with traditional string quintet instrumentation by scoring a second cello instead of a second viola, allowing for a darker timbre and more intense ensemble sound.
Compositional Technique
Luigi Boccherini, an outstanding cello virtuoso, composed 110 string quintets with two cellos, establishing a unique quintet style.
