Description
One of the most beautiful slow movements ever written. And one that becomes even more extraordinary the closer you listen.
Franz Schubert wrote his String Quintet in C Major, D. 956 in 1828, during the final months of his life. Scored unusually for two violins, viola, and two cellos, it has become one of the great landmarks of chamber music. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
For this Discovery Series evening, we focus entirely on the Adagio. It begins in an almost suspended state of calm, with a simple, breathtaking melody floating above the second cello. Then the entire world of the piece is suddenly shattered by a turbulent, almost violent middle section before the opening music finally returns, transformed by everything we’ve just heard.
We’ll talk about how Schubert creates this extraordinary journey and listen for some of the details that make the music work. Then our musicians will perform the movement live. We’ll talk about what we heard, dig deeper, and perform it again.
