1983-2018
Schubert Ensemble Recordings listed by composer
Brahms: Piano Quartets
"Beautifully engineered, these disarmingly natural and eloquent performances bring out the music’s inherent drama with a deft touch while indulging Brahms’s lyrical instincts to the full.” – BBC Music Magazine.
Label: Chandos
Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op.34 Three Intermezzi, Op.117 Intermezzo In A, Op.118 No.2
“The Schubert Ensemble again demonstrate their devotion to the masterworks of 19th-century chamber music”. – Gramophone, January 2010.
“This is a performance which fairly crackles with passion.” – International Record Review, January 2010.
“…it is one terrific recording.” – My Classical notes, January 2010.
“They capture perfectly the majesty of the [Brahms] Piano Quintet in F minor”. – The Observer, September 2010.
Label: Champs Hill Records
Brahms Piano Quartet in G Minor and Mendelssohn Piano Quartet No.2 in F Minor
Here is chamber music playing of effortless grace and endearing spontaneity … More please!” – HiFi News & Record Review, August 1998.
Label: ASV
Brahms reissued on Nimbus Records
Mendelssohn reissued on Nimbus Records
Brahms Piano Quartet No.2 in A and Mendelssohn Piano Quartet No.1 in C Minor
“…accomplished, well-thought-out performances of both works…” – BBC Music Magazine, April 1999.
“With outstanding sound and musically intelligent playing, the Schubert Ensemble of London’s previous instalments in their Brahms and Mendelssohn Piano Quartet cycle have elicited much praise, and this disc is no exception.” – Classic CD, January 1999.
“…another winning release.” – Fanfare, May/June 1999.
Label: ASV
Brahms Piano Quartet No.3 in C Minor and Mendelssohn Piano Quartet No.3 in B Minor
“Idiomatic, highly sensitive performances.” – Classic CD, April 1998.
Label: ASV
Martin Butler: American Rounds
“The performances are as sensitive and assured as one would expect from the Schubert Ensemble, continuing their laudable contribution to British new music, and the sound is a model of chamber balance.” – Gramophone, August 2007.
Recording of the Month – Music Web International, September 2007.
“The playing and musicianship are faultless and the recording is superb to match, making this a highly recommendable disc for anyone remotely interested in 20th and 21st century chamber music.” – Music Web International, October 2007.
Label: NMC
Raymond Deane: Marche Oubliée
Dohnányi: Piano Quintets and Serenade for String Trio
“…fresh, vital and spirited performances…” – BBC Music Magazine, January 2012.
“Soaring performances ... a stunning recording ... this disc is easily recommended.” – Fanfare Magazine.
Label: Hyperion
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet in A Major, Piano Quartet in E flat major
“Playing that shows a strong appreciation of the drama in Dvorak.” – BBC Music Magazine 5*, August 2012.
“...The sound is full and full-frontal it suits these pertly articulated performances which are always on the qui vive for chances to sing and to dance. This is an unqualified delight.” – Gramophone, March 2013.
“…hearing the Schubert Ensemble’s attention to detail is like seeing two beloved paintings carefully cleaned and newly framed.” – Classical Source, May 2012.
“Finely honed and full of quicksilver playing, alert to every nuance in Dvorak’s writing.” – International Record Review, June 2012.
Label: Chandos
Elgar: Piano Quintet in A Minor
Elgar: Piano Quintet in A Minor
George Enescu: Piano Quartets Nos 1 and 2
“This is an extremely fine First Piano Quartet: lean, impassioned, and technically expert, played with the kind of give-and-take between musicians that is essential to making this music by a chamber musician work…This performance is a joy to hear” – Fanfare, USA.
“These works are magnificently performed here. An important release.” – BBC Music Magazine 5*, August 2011.
“Excellent playing in a valuable disc.” – Classic FM Magazine, August 2011.
“Every phrase of it is delivered with elegance and panache”. – Music Web International, August 2011.
Label: Chandos
George Enescu: Piano Trio, Piano Quintet, Aria and Scherzo
“This is a superb performance [of the Quintet], alive to the music's every nuance, and pianist William Howard emerges as a very impressive primus inter pares...A very special release.” – BBC Music Magazine 5*, December 2013.
“Such has been the deep and intelligent musicianship which has attended the making of this recording that we should applaud the dedication of the Schubert Ensemble and the commercial enterprise of Chandos, for the results are wholly convincing…listeners can return to this superb disc at will, secure in the knowledge that their musical experience has been distinctly enhanced.” – International Record Review, October 2013.
“A highly recommended release” – The Strad, December 2013.
“…committed and passionate performances.” – Sunday Times, December 2013.
“played with tremendous conviction”. – Music Web International.
Label: Chandos
Farrenc: The Two Piano Quintets
“This one’s a real winner”. – Fanfare, March 2002.
“Enjoyable, persuasive performances”. – Gramophone, May 2012.
Label: ASV
Fauré: The Two Piano Quartets
“It will take a great deal to surpass the Schubert Ensemble’s subtle, imaginative and radiant performance.” – International Piano, March 2000.
“Most attractive performances, with all the range of dynamic and colour.” – Classic CD 5*, April 2000
Label: ASV
Fauré: The Two Piano Quartets
“Fluent and expressive performances of music that is by turns forthright, playful and of song-like beauty. The veiled beauty of No.1 in C minor’s slow movement is particularly telling.” – BBC Music Magazine (double 5*), June 2015
Label: Nimbus
Faure: The Two Piano Quintets
“…agreeably poised and poetic recording.” – The Classical Review, July 2010.
“These marvellous musicians do it all, with utter conviction”. – The Lady, April 2010.
Label: Chandos
Cheryl Frances-Hoad The Whole Earth Dances
Franck: Piano Quintet in F minor and Violin Sonata in A
“To my mind the best of more recent recordings.” – BBC Music Magazine, October 2006.
“…the Schubert Ensemble can be enthusiastically recommended.” – Gramophone, April 2006.
“A fine recording that will appeal to many.” – Music Web, March 2006.
Label: ASV
Franck: Quintet for Piano and Strings in F Minor, Sonata for Violin and Piano in A
“…a superb CD coupling for newcomers to Franck or to late-Romantic chamber music in general.” – Music Web International, June 2012.
Label: Champs Hill Records
Piers Hellawell: Dogs and Wolves
“The performances are as expert as one might expect from musicians with whom Hellawell has collaborated extensively over the years…” – Gramophone, Awards Issue 2008.
“This is a splendid release that does this very distinguished composer’s music full justice.” – Music Web International, March 2009.
Label: Metronome
Korngold: Piano Quintet Op.15 and Suite Op.23
“These artists audibly revel in Korngold’s taxing, yet sumptuously rewarding writing...” – Gramophone, December 1998.
“…a vibrant and virtuoso performance…” – The Times, October 1998.
Label: ASV
Martinů: Chamber Works
“A light, lovely, and altogether unlikely disc of Martinu’s chamber music, this recording by London’s Schubert Ensemble is a pure delight.” – BBC Music Magazine, November 2009.
“…The Chandos disc is a stunner, and not just for the terrific playing and profound understanding of the Martinu muse that the Schubert Ensemble brings to the table, but because of the selection of music itself.” – Fanfare, March/April 2010.
“The players capture perfectly their naive tenderness.” – The Telegraph, November 2009.
Recording of the Fortnight – Classical Music Magazine, November 2009.
Label: Chandos
Colin Matthews: Triptych
Mendelssohn: Piano Quartets
The Schubert Ensemble brings care, affection and sparkle to these three early yet unmistakeably Mendelssohnian. — BBC Music Magazine, August 2014, ****
Label: Nimbus
Saint-Saëns and Chausson: Piano Quartets
"The first notes tell you that you are listening to a class act…there’s complete unanimity of intent. Intonation is precise, rubato absolutely co-ordinated, vibrato carefully graded, and the texture immaculately balanced, the result of both works having been in the Ensemble’s repertoire for a long time.” – BBC Music Magazine (double 5*), December 2016.
“The performances of both are, as you would expect from an ensemble that has had these works in its repertoire for many years, as fine in their attention to detail as is their structural grasp and stylistic assurance. If it is this pairing that attracts you, then there is no competition.” – Gramophone, November 2016.
“... Sound is gorgeous, I've found my new favorite recording of the Chausson piano quartet." – American Record Guide, January/February 2017.
Label: Chandos
Schubert The Trout, Hummel Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, and Schumann Piano Quartet/Piano Quintet
Schubert: Trout Quintet & Piano Trio No.1 in B Flat
“ [A] thought-provoking and very musical new version … certainly worth hearing…” – BBC Music Magazine, September 2004.
Label: ASV
Schubert: Piano Trio No.2 and Arpeggione Sonata for viola and piano
“Very sensitive playing, with fine tone and balance, and a notably crisp, clear recording…” – Gramophone, October 1999.
“With such immaculate balancing, the musicians could hardly fail to convince…” – HiFi News & Record Review, December 1999.
Label: ASV
Schubert: The Trout Piano Quintet in A, Piano Trio No.1 in B Flat
“…this tasty collection is fresh and breezy, just like Schubert’s lovely melodies but with an undercurrent of something foreboding in those deep waters!” – Classic FM, April 2010.
“...their performance has all the spontaneity and none of the routine that comes from long familiarity with each other and the work....these seasoned Schubertians are equally alert to the underlying emotional turbulence that troubles, but never overwhelms, this life-enhancing music.” – The Sunday Times, April 2010.
“The group’s confidence has been finely honed over the years, intimacy being matched by vital spontaneity, expressive phrasing and an instinctive way of animating the music’s textures so that they are close-knit but at the same time luminously articulated.” – Daily Telegraph, April 2010.
Label: Champs Hill Records
Schumann: Piano Quintet and Piano Quartet
“Two of Schumann’s greatest works played with loving care.” – Classic FM, August 2006.
“…the experience of the players brings fluidity and a unanimity of rubato to music-making that is warm-hearted…” – Daily Telegraph, July 2006.
“A relaxed approach pays dividends”. – Gramophone, September 2006.
“In short, for anyone interested in this coupling, this is a release well worth acquiring.” – International Record Review, July 2006.
Label: ASV
Reissued on Alto
Schumann: Piano Quintet and Piano Quartet
John Tavener: Schuon Lieder (world premiere recording)
There is much charm and delicate invention here, and even a quote from Schubert.” – Gramophone, September 2006.
Label: ASV
Ralph Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge and Piano Quintet in C
“The members of the Schubert Ensemble make superb musical partners here … beautifully played.” – BBC Music Magazine 5*, May 2008.
“… the Schubert Ensemble tackles the Quintet with as much relish and authority as if it were a mainstream part of the repertoire” – Daily Telegraph, April 2008.
“Sharp lines and lucid textures etch a clean instrumental background to Mark Padmore’s vocals” – Independent, April 2008.
Label: Chandos
Judith Weir: Piano Concerto, Piano Quartet and other works
John Woolrich: Toward the Black Sky
“Excellent performances throughout.” – Evening Standard, March 2004.
“This is music that speaks to the soul.” – The Strad, June 2004.
Label: Black Box