String Quintet in C major Op.post.163 D 956 (Study Score)

Schubert String Quintet in C major Op.post.163 D 956 (Study Score)

As far as we know Schubert wrote only two quintets for stringed instruments, one at the beginning of his compositional career, the other at the very end.  The early work, an Ouverture for String Quintet in C minor, D 8 (2 violins, 2 violas and violoncello), was written in 1811 and qualifies as the earliest dated chamber work by Schubert.  The piece, arranged by the composer for string quartet as well (D 8A), is in a single movement and demonstrably modeled on an orchestral work, Cherubini's Overture to the opera Faniska.

The great String Quintet in C major, D 956, on the other hand, was written for two violoncellos, perhaps because Schubert wanted to avoid a direct comparison with Mozart's masterpieces for string quintet which the composer had borrowed to study from Josef Hugelmann in 1824.

One of the monuments of the chamber music repertory, Schubert's Cello Quintet was among the last major instrumental works completed before his death, perhaps even the last.

- Urtext of the New Schubert Edition

- Parts (BA5612) and study score format 22.5 x 16.5cm (TP287) available for sale