Schubert - String Quartet 14 [Tokyo String Quartet] It's been a while since i listened to Schubert's 14th, late last year in November, i can't believe i haven't listened to this work for over six months, so it was so good to re-acquaint myself with this, and this actual disc was played way back at the start of my Blog last January [5th January 2010], i really like the Tokyo String Quartet, they sound 'sweet' in Beethoven, but here's an angry / sour work [in D Minor], that challenges that sweetness, i tremendously enjoyed this today.
Theme [0:00-2:15], a solemn and sad lament, played to a funeral march rhythm, soft and gentle at first [though sour], but dark ominous undercurrents are flowing beneath, which will come to the fore in certain variations.
Variation 1 [2:16-4:15], explores the more agitated side to the String Quartet medium, with the first violin singing the solo line, while the rest of the Quartet supply the staccato bowed rhythm, or the pizzicato bass line, there's a lovely sense of greater agitation in the second half, the violin ends up fairly distressed.
Variation 2 [4:16-6:31], the cello / viola take over the main melody line, and the whole thing really does end up fairly desperate and sour, a real gushing of woes.
Variation 3 [6:32-8:22], variation 3 is my favourite, this really does have those forte dark rhythms, dark and menacing, very hard driven at times, it constantly fluctuates between heavy and softer, superb rhythms, especially in the second half [7:44+], pure exhilaration.
Variation 4 [8:23-11:05], as a change of pace, a very easy going lighter, and sweeter variation, delicate in many ways, and easily the longest variation.
Variation 5 [11:06-12:50], but the dark undercurrent return, gently at first, but eventually with more menace, and then reverting back to a gentleness as at the start.
Coda / Finale [12:52-14:06], not really a finale as such, more coda-esque, and ending in acceptance, with the maiden sleeping peacefully in the arms of death, a satisfying ending.
The Tokyo String Quartet have over 40 years experience together, even though only two original members remain, they recorded this disc in 1989, the front cover is a nice group shot of the Quartet [by Christian Steiner], lovely browns / oranges of the instruments.
The first two movements of this Quartet are tremendous, the first is dark and brooding, the second which is my favourite, is a set of variations on the theme of a Schubert song 'Death And The Maiden', and here Schubert is in top inventive form, even more inspired than his Trout Piano Quintet [another one of his song inspirations], this theme and five variations explore almost every facet of the String Quartet medium, so here's a synopsis of each variation,
Variation 1 [2:16-4:15], explores the more agitated side to the String Quartet medium, with the first violin singing the solo line, while the rest of the Quartet supply the staccato bowed rhythm, or the pizzicato bass line, there's a lovely sense of greater agitation in the second half, the violin ends up fairly distressed.
Variation 2 [4:16-6:31], the cello / viola take over the main melody line, and the whole thing really does end up fairly desperate and sour, a real gushing of woes.
Variation 3 [6:32-8:22], variation 3 is my favourite, this really does have those forte dark rhythms, dark and menacing, very hard driven at times, it constantly fluctuates between heavy and softer, superb rhythms, especially in the second half [7:44+], pure exhilaration.
Variation 4 [8:23-11:05], as a change of pace, a very easy going lighter, and sweeter variation, delicate in many ways, and easily the longest variation.
Variation 5 [11:06-12:50], but the dark undercurrent return, gently at first, but eventually with more menace, and then reverting back to a gentleness as at the start.
Coda / Finale [12:52-14:06], not really a finale as such, more coda-esque, and ending in acceptance, with the maiden sleeping peacefully in the arms of death, a satisfying ending.
Here's the Shanghai Quartet playing the second movement on YouTube.
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