Disc: 1   1. Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ('Trout'), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114): Allegro vivace   2. Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ('Trout'), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114): Andante   3. Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ('Trout'), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114): Scherzo, presto   4. Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ('Trout'), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114): Tema con variazioni (Die Forelle   5. Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ('Trout'), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114): Allegro giusto   6. String Quartet No. 9 in G minor, D. 173: Allegro con brio   7. String Quartet No. 9 in G minor, D. 173: Andantino   8. String Quartet No. 9 in G minor, D. 173: Menuetto, allegro vivace   9. String Quartet No. 9 in G minor, D. 173: Allegro

This is one of a rare breed where the recording is exceptional and where the "reading" of this oeuvre goes straight to the heart. The balance between the string players and the piano (sitting behind them) is impeccable. Every note of the piano and the decay time is audible and believable. The string tone of chamber music is rarely successfully captured on CD - not this time; the way this recording gets it borders on the heavenly: Sweet tone, clear, no "gray-screechy" strings, it is as if everything is sculptured to perfection. The interaction between the string soloists is a marvel in the sense that they hear one another and does not attempt to "play the soloists on one another". it is an ensemble-work that does not strive to attract attention to the participants - but strive to pull the work together and ahead.

It is obvious that the Amati has worked with each other for quite sometime to achieve this sort of "togetherness". To my mind this is a most wonderful playing and recording. Very highly recommended

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