Ferny Marron

Composed during the final weeks of Schubert's life, the Quintet in C major for two violins, viola and two cellos ranks among his greatest accomplishments. Schubert's decision to use a second cello (rather than the second viola as in Mozart's quintets) adds to the overall richness of the piece and gives it a darker, more melancholy timbre. In its day, Schubert's Quintet was truly a revolutionary work. It is truly symphonic in scope, with 'orchestration' that mimics motifs characteristics of writing for winds and brass. This new recording from the Arcanto Quartet and cellist Olivier Marron (2004 first prize winner at the international Johann Sebastian Bach competition in Leipzig, Germany) illuminates the colors and decodes the complexities of this timeless masterpiece.