Product Description

The Ensemble Villa Musica is a talented group of chamber music players that has done most of their recording work for the premium-priced MDG label. Somehow Naxos has gotten hold of them as well, and they turn in terrific performances of two Schubert classics, the tuneful and relaxing String Trio, and the String Quintet. This latter piece was literally composed while Schubert was on his deathbed, and it's one of the most intensely expressive masterpieces in all of chamber music. "Cosmic" is just about the only word that does it justice, particularly with regard to the slow movement. At budget price, this well-filled disc is self-recommending, even if you already have recordings of either of these pieces. To paraphrase Thoreau: "Duplicate! Duplicate!"