Philharmonia Chamber Players: Schubert’s Quintet in C

Schubert’s Quintet in C major is widely considered one of the great achievements in Western culture – it would certainly be many a string player’s Desert Island Disc. Its sublime slow movement alone is a miniature masterpiece, poised between tranquillity and heartbreak.

Schubert’s choice to use two cellos in his quintet gives depth and richness to some of his most profound, expressive writing. Listening to this music in the hands of five of the Philharmonia’s world-class string players is 50 minutes well spent.