Anne-Sophie Mutter & Daniil Trifonov - Franz Schubert: Forellenquintett (Trout Quintet) (2017) [CD Rip]

The configuration of players on this Deutsche Grammophon Schubert release is unusual: a major superstar, a rising superstar, and three young up-and-comers. The leader, if you had to pick one, would be violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. And like any good leader, she knows enough to step out of the way when a team member has a good idea. In the Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667 ("Trout"), it is pianist Daniil Trifonov who sets the tone. The performances proceed at a rapid clip, ideally suited to Trifonov's fluid style. There are many pleasures to be had from the set of variations on the song Die Forelle, which makes up a sort of second slow movement for the quintet, but sample one of the fast movements, perhaps the Scherzo to hear the flavor of this performance, with Trifonov skittering across the keys and the other players holding together in precise ensemble despite the ad hoc nature of the grouping. Mutter takes center stage in the shorter pieces that follow the quintet, and she's lovely, but the distinctive Trout Quintet is the reason to acquire this fine album. The recording at the Baden-Baden Festspielhaus is clear and spacious. -- James Manheim