This 1975 recording of Schubert’s C major String Quintet finds the Guarneri Quartet and cellist Leonard Rose in fine form. Admittedly, first violinist Arnold Steinhardt’s tone is occasionally edgy, a feature exacerbated by microphone placement, and there are several patches of questionable intonation, but tonal blend and balance are otherwise exemplary. The opening movement comes off best (performed without the exposition repeat), with propulsive, dramatic playing and a sensitive shaping of the oh-so-lovely, lyrical second theme. The Adagio’s fragile atmosphere is nicely sustained, though the opening could be more hushed. Rough-hewn and unhurried, the Guarneri underscores the rustic, dance-like qualities of the last two movements, and while the scherzo is too heavy-handed, the finale has an endearing, Gypsy-like rhythmic snap.
The Alban Berg Quartet and Heinrich Schiff (EMI) offer a sweeter, more polished view of this hallowed repertoire staple. And then there’s the Hollywood String Quartet and Kurt Reher (Testament), who are far plainer-sounding yet phrase in glorious, long paragraphs. I wouldn’t give up either of these deservedly acclaimed accounts, but RCA was right to finally put the Guarneri’s compelling version on CD. The coupling is a 1970 recording of the Beethovenian Quartettsatz that begins perfunctorily but quickly gathers expressive weight.
