The String Quintet in C, D.956 is surely one of the finest of Schubert’s works. The drama and lyricism of the first movement; the mystic, sublime calm surrounding a perfect emotional storm that is the slow movement; the celebration of the scherzo with the mystery of the trio; and, finally, a dance that reminds us that Vienna isn’t all that far from Budapest.

And everywhere, Schubert’s magical sense of tonal colour and shading…

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