Leopold String Trio, Paul Lewis, Graham Mitchell - Schubert: 'Trout' Quintet, String Trios D581 & D471 (2006)

This recording of Schubert's beloved "Trout" Quintet may not be not the greatest recording of the work ever made. How could it be? Chamber ensembles have been recording the "Trout" since the invention of recording and there are perhaps more great recordings of the piece in the catalogue than of any other chamber work. But the qualities that make for a great recording of the "Trout" are abundantly present in this recording, too, and anyone who loves the work will have to hear it. Why? Because the Leopold String Trio -- violinist Marianne Thorsen, violist Lawrence Power and cellist Kate Gould -- plus pianist Paul Lewis and bassist Graham Mitchell -- tap into the heart's blood of the work. In their performance, one can hear the ineffable charm, the indescribable beauty and the quintessentially Viennese loveliness of the work. Beyond the ease of their ensemble, the clarity of the textures and the warmth of their tone, their melodies always sing, their harmonies always ring, their rhythms always sway and their tempos always lilt. The couplings of Schubert's single movement B-flat String Trio and his four-movement String Trio also in B-flat performed by the Leopold String Trio alone are equally well played and equally effective. Whether you have one "Trout" on your shelf or a dozen, this one will still deserves a hearing, especially in Hyperion's cool, clear and deep sound.