Schubert’s only string quintet was written two months before his early death. It is seen by many to be the best piece of chamber music ever written. Some see a premonition of Schubert’s own death in it. Be that as it may, the pathos here is so thick, you can cut it with a knife.
In writing this in C major, Schubert made a reference to both Mozart and Beethoven, who also wrote their string quintets in that key. He differed from those composition in instrumentation however, by adding an extra cello instead of a viola. What’s more, he treated that cello to enhance the bass line, instead of using it as kind of a viola.
But what I think most who know this will remember, is the plucked string accompaniment from the second cello in the second part of this sublime work. The simple plucked melody creates such a strong contrast with the almost heavenly tranquility that forms the core of this movement, it is almost heart breaking, and can move me to tears every time I hear it.
The performance here is by the Cleveland Quartet, with Yo-Yo Ma as the second cello. I do not claim this is the best version of the quintet, but the recording is very clear and well done. It is made in 1984, before the decline of the LP as a medium. In my personal experience this is a good period, at least for classical music.
Finally, I have to add that this recording was made by the Cleveland Quartet. That quartet was founded in 1969 by Donald Weilerstein. I would not mention that if he would not be the father of the cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and Joshua Weilerstein, conductor and creator of a podcast about classical music that I like to listen to.