Schubert's String Quintet in C Major, performed by The Afiara Quartet with Joel Krosnick.

1st Violin ~ Valerie Li
2nd Violin ~ Yuri Cho
Viola ~ David Samuel
Cello ~ Adrian Fung
Guest Cello ~ Joel Krosnick
Joel Krosnick describes his passion for Schubert's String Quintet that was performed and recorded at the Rolston Recital Hall at the Banff Centre. The all Canadian Afiara Quartet were awarded second prize at the 2010 Banff International String Quartet Competition. From this success, they returned in the summer of 2012 to begin their massive project - to record all the Beethoven Quartets. While there, they also performed this stunning piece with their faculty, Joel Krosnick.
It was a pleasure to create several videos with the Afiara Quartet and Barry Shiffman for The Banff Centre.

[@andrews582]

It's Schubert's final testament. Rest in peace, Dear Friend.

[@cellosean]

I played 1st cello on this last night. I've played it many times, and it never, ever gets old. It's just unbelievable, breathtaking, eternal music.

[@PanayiotisVyras]

The adagio is Heavenly music... an opening to eternity.

[@alexandertoth363]

Indeed, it's a miracle!

[@irenemwrench8594]

Of alll the great composers, Schubert commands our tendresse for the intimacy of his musical sensiibility. Nobody quite like him.

[@bernardcohen8856]

Agreed wholeheartedly

[@vKarl71]

Thank you for this! Joel Krosnick's intro is just wonderful.

[@DavidLobron]

Amazing! The Adagio of this piece has got to be one of the most beautiful things ever composed.

[@tonybusfield7355]

breathtaking, I am in tears!

[@dankelly301]

I had not heard previously this particular version of my "favourite work", and was thrilled by the opening remarks by Joel Krosnick. His words seem, somehow, to reflect what had been in my own mind since I was first introduced to this wonderful music, and have increased my appreciation and understanding of this quintet, particularly the second movement.

[@humamghassib2685]

With Schubert, there is no end for the flow of melodies; it's lyricism at its best. Mr. Joel Krosnick: This is indeed "a miracle of a composition". The performance deserves at least 9/10.

[@trevorjones3273]

Why not 10/10 and be done with it?

[@robertholt7655]

Without a doubt the best thing that he composed. If life had given him another 20 years, what great music we would have been blessed with.

[@Imafungi123]

How can you claim this is the best thing he composed, when he has so many remarkable compositions?

[@nannojonkers3817]

I agree totally with you on this matter. Schubert would then in 5 to 10 years more have become even more decisive in music-history than Beethoven was in reality. He would a.o.have written symphonies making, so to say (being disrespectfull for one moment), the ones by Bruckner (who must have adored Schubert's 9th symphony and been inspired by it) almost superfluous. And so would have reached the top of the Music Olympus. In chamber-music and the 'Lied' this master reached that top indeed already during his lifetime. His greatness lies in being able to expansiveness in as well apparent endless enduring as in the tiniest, short mode (take the 'Hungarian Melody' for piano D. 817 or the 'Ständchen' song).

[@robertholt7655]

Thank you Nanno. I think this quintet aproaches the intensity of LVB's later string quatets, and given a bit more time, he would have gotten there. Butl, we will never know. As we will never know about the others who left us way before their time--Mozart, Mendelsohn, Chopin, Purcell, Mahler, et alii. In spite of their shortened lives, they left us with a treasure of music.

[@SonicPhonic]

Perhaps your not familiar with the B flat major piano sonata, opus posth.?

[@nannojonkers3817]

I know ALL music ever composed by this greatest composer of all times had he lived some ten years more.

[@sporty1701]

The adagio is stunningly beautiful..."Will tear your heart out" ( Kenneth Branagh in the film Conspiracy).

[@petermelian1346]

Franz Schubert's music is an angel's song. All his musical creations are angels sent from above. All of them : his chamber orchestra compositions, his symphonies, his Lieder. May Franz be now accompanied by the Muses in the Olympian Elysian Fields. I am in paradise listening to his works.

[@davidjames9626]

I can't find the words..thank you so much for this beautiful moving performance..

[@shin-i-chikozima]

This splendor of words cannot arrive

[@caltamino]

I fell in love immediately with this music about 60 years ago, when I first played the second violin part in a performance in my youth. Since those days I played it many times, both the first violin part and the second violin part. I think I came to understand this music the more I played it, and the more I play it the more I love this extraordinary music. This quintet is so very different from Schubert’s other quintet, his youthful masterpiece, the Trout piano quintet. The Trout is a lovely marvelous happy piece. But his string quintet in C, written under very different circumstances is much deeper. If the Trout is all happy carefree laughter, this one moves us to tears. Schubert wrote this quintet just a short time before he died of syphilis at age 31. He undoubtedly knew he was dying, and poured his soul into this marvelous music. Though all movements in this quintet are masterfully written, what moves me the most, like many musicians is the second movement. I am convinced that in this movement Schubert described his own death that happened just a short time after he wrote this extraordinary piece of music. The second movement is written in roughly A B A form. It starts with a marvelous melody in the lower strings on which the first violin adds caressing dotted rhythms. When the melody is repeated with pizzicatos from the first violin and the second cello, it sounds like Schubert lies on his death bed, with those who loved him surrounding him praying for his survival. Part B starts with an obstinato accompaniment on top of which the first violin adds a screaming searing melody - might it be Schubert pleading with God, screaming at God, why are you killing me at age 31? The screams become pleas for his life. But God does not hear his pleas. Part B ends in silence. Schubert has died. The rest of the movement is those who loved him mourning the dead Schubert. Part A returns with sobbing on the first violin, and marvelous upward runs on the second cello, like a priest trying to console the grieving. The praying beautiful melody in the lower strings returns. With the dotted caresses on the first violin, which at times become like sharp stabbing wounds into the heart. Caressing and sobbing returns to the first violin. The dark mood part B returns but only for a moment. It is resolved into serenity, acceptance, sorrow and resignation.

[@user-ib6cu7eu9e]

Спасибо за Ваш комментарий.Как жаль ,что он так рано перешел в другой мир.Значит,был готов.Музыка божественная. Послушаю вторую часть ,внимательно прочитав Ваш комментарий.

[@luisdiazlopez3712]

No sabía de la existencia de este excelente cuarteto ni conocía a Mr. Joel Krosnick. Esta versión está a la altura de aquellas entregadas por cuartetos de gran prosapia, como el Amadeus, entre otros.

[@BryanParkCello]

What a gem of a recording

[@alfredoparamo3139]

El Adagio de este Quinteto es una de las cumbres del Himalaya de la música.

[@ruxiwang9571]

Oh how amazing performance. The 4th movement is a desperate ecstasy.

[@bailleux8976]

magnifique quintette.

[@TheJamesalden]

The Adagio begins @ 29:12...

[@LanceClark]

The beginning of the piece is at 8:19

[@i1like1trains]

Thanks :-)

[@saturne46]

Quelle interprétation habitée ! Tous les musiciens sont excellents. Je l'ai regardée déjà trois fois. Valerie Li m'emporte dans son jeu. Merci infiniment…

[@eoredc4351]

This is a sensitive interpretation of the Quintet, beautifully played.

[@EraseAllMemory]

Truly Magnificent! What a stunning piece of music, and so beautifully performed. Thank you so much for sharing this masterpiece.

[@gregoryroscow5846]

The Scherzo (with its echoes of the Grand Duo) gives me a frisson every time. There is no one to equal Schubert.

[@sergixtepec1]

Maravillosa presentación, gracias por compartir esta bella música.

[@CraigHall_CHVideoPhoto]

+Sergio Reyes Thank you. - english translation: Wonderful presentation , thank you for sharing this beautiful music.

[@Crapweeds]

Great performance, and great introduction. ^_^

[@ninetailschakra3950]

so majestic >.

[@mozart1751]

Schubert is totally other worldly here. Seems to have had inspiration from Heaven (if there is one)shortly before he had to leave this world.

[@LanceClark]

Ugh. that adagio though. so good!

[@simonellosimonelli9969]

Bella ed appassionata esecuzione. Coinvolgente l'Adagio. Bravi!

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

This piece is surely the greatest piece of classical music. No greater piece exists. It is even better than the greatest piece ever written for piano - the d960 sonata.

[@luisdiazlopez3712]

I agree with you. Greetings from Chile.

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

@@luisdiazlopez3712 Thanks - but now I have decided that i actually prefer his 15th quartet.

[@luisdiazlopez3712]

I agree, this is the Everest of occidental music.

[@cosmikdebris6055]

Glorious!

[@kemchobhenchod]

only lovers left alive

[@kamaldineibnzaidoun3915]

Joel plays and speaks jowls! 👑 🌹🕯

[@sokojen]

I'm not sure what groups you've seen lately but the viola is being more and more frequently seated in the spot it is here. It actually helps with the intonation of the ensemble and helps keep the viola sound from being consumed by the cello.

[@robertclark7772]

Fantastic

[@david6417]

Inspiring!

[@susanmacrae1628]

Wonderful to listen to a live performance. What an amazing piece. Thank you.

[@waelsamhouri8269]

Ultra!

[@Rickriquinho]

Schubert at one of his best moments!!!

[@luisdiazlopez3712]

Schubert at his last mpments, he was very very near of death, and he kenw it.

[@Rickriquinho]

@@luisdiazlopez3712 He had a hard life 😭

[@margeryblacklow596]

Amazingly beautiful rendition of this work. I only wonder why the camera doesn't show more of Cello I.

[@tihai]

wonderful :)

[@windstorm1000]

I think it was Stravinsky who directed that he wanted the theme of the slow movement chiseled onto his tomb stone.

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

If it was him, he did not get his wish. But I do remember that story, I'm just not sure if Stravinsky is the one who said it.

[@anaperezcrespo7730]

Lovely!!

[@Douwe33]

the introduction is complete necessary

[@rosacabrera9208]

Amazing ❤️🙌🏻

[@chef-juandeltafoods1520]

SIMPLEMENTE PERFECTO!!!!!

[@user-oz2bn8zh7x]

저는 이 곡의 이 연주가 너무 좋아요. 정말 감동을 주고 마음을 정화시켜줘요. 감사합니다.

[@numerrita]

Those chicks are hard. It has the same intensity of a guitar solo in a heavy meta band. First time I watched it and I'm 'really enjoying it.

[@hcsuzukiviolin3152]

String quintet in C Major, D. 956 composed by Schubert performed by The Afiara Quartet with Joel Krosnick (cello)

[@kamaldineibnzaidoun3915]

🤩 😍 💖 💞 🌹🕯

[@lisacipriani6105]

it's deep love...

[@voncello]

He gets it.

[@renelevaillant6601]

Some people don't like this miracle?

[@likeworldlikeworld2485]

Regarding what we would have had he lived even 20 more years, people who believe in G-d might say that this was as much as we deserved, or, was destined to be revealed to us here on earth. 30 is a bit young, i must admit. Very unusual talent for under age 30. He was sent down for his mission and then went back home.😓😢

[@luisdiazlopez3712]

Quite well, as a joke

[@caltamino]

Schubert died at age 31. Born Jan 31, 1797 -- died Nov.19, 1828 two months short of his 32-nd birthday.

[@MrFpam]

Wonderful, including the heartfelt introduction! What a shame the viola is stuck on the corner playing away from the audience! Usually (and more appropriately) the viola is in the middle with the 2 cellos on the right side.

[@kishorebajaj4353]

Schubert infinite !

[@classicalconcerto6742]

The Scherzo starts at 43:11

[@cellotennis]

Wonderful playing - and "interesting" camera work! Divine second theme - and not a TRACE of showing the cellos... Right after the 2 violins fared a little better...oh well....

[@clairelenoir]

i am fainting ...

[@alanmorr3635]

I heard this wonderful piece of music played recently at one of those new Sunday Morning 'coffee concerts' that are now very popular among classical music lovers. Both performances with performed brilliantly

[@TheWindWaker333]

6:50 What slow Beethoven movement was he referring of? The first movement of String Quartet No. 14?

[@paulrichman]

We've seen 11 Bieber's big fans.

[@carlhopkinson]

It really is a miracle....no human acting alone could achieve this.

[@carlhopkinson]

yea, Schubert had a direct channel to God.

[@-LamiaSage-]

8:23 - 28:59 :3

[@tamilathiest8209]

Thank you for saving my time..Do you prefer "God Bless you?" or "my respects" to you

[@tateallen9972]

Scherzo at 43:16

[@helenlauer9465]

why is the second cello wearing shoulder pads? I've never seen that before.

[@Xenol1997]

+Helen Lauer I suppose it's to stop wearing from taking place on the top of the cello. I've seen some cellos with very prominant wearing from the hand.

[@isabeltrautwein]

He is playing the first part.

[@decisivebeing9727]

43:18

[@mollkatless]

Based on some of the facial expressions, that video is almost as entertaining with no volume

[@kemchobhenchod]

this production was brought to you by tiger moms

[@MsUbor]

Im Mittelteil des Adagios beschleunigen die Spieler das Tempo erheblich: von ca. 80 auf ca. 110 Schläge pro Minute. Schubert schreibt da überhaupt nichts hin, und man weiß, dass er gegenüber Tempoänderungen, die nicht in der Partitur stehen, äußerst empfindlich war. Ein Tonartwechsel ist kein Tempowechsel, und der ruhige Charakter der Außenteile käme auch bei zügigerer Temponahme sehr gut zum Ausdruck - ja noch mehr: Die Unterstimmen würden als Träger der Melodie hörbar, während sie bei zu langsamem Tempo einen etwas statischen Klanghintergrund bilden. Warum also diese groteske Beschleunigung? Weil es andere auch so machen? Das ist wohl kein Argument.

[@CraigHall_CHVideoPhoto]

+Gerd Franke I don't have an answer to your comment but here's the english translation for other viewers: In the middle section of the Adagio players significantly accelerate the pace : from about 80 to about 110 beats per minute . Schubert writes as anything out , and we know that he was extremely sensitive to tempo changes that are not in the score . A key change is not a change of pace , and the peaceful character of the exterior parts come even with speedier pace acquisition very well expressed - still more : The lower voices would be heard as a carrier of the melody , while they form a somewhat static sound background in at a slow pace . So why this grotesque acceleration ? Because others do so ? This is probably not an argument .

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

"Ein Tonartwechsel ist kein Tempowechsel." Ein Affektwechsel aber schon. Das wusste im Barock jeder, deswegen hat auch niemand irgendwelche Tempoangaben gemacht. Das wird zu Schubert's Zeiten nicht anders gewesen sein.

[@kennethharwood7672]

I COULDN'T STAND IT! After Krosnick's wonderful introduction, the sound was also wonderful, but the cameraman decided that it was all abut him. There is a lot going on in a quintet, and the advantage of a video is that one gets to see the performers and the interplay and simply which instruments are playing, when. But this camera man decided that he would give us a (to him) nice closeup of this instrument then that - meanwhile there is a lot more going on. I found it immensely frustrating and left this, as wonderful as it was, for one with Janine Jansen's group, where I could watch the whole quintet.

[@rmbjr60]

Excellent. Though the Adagio is ever so slightly rushed and lacks enough rubato for my taste - specifically whenever the cello has pizzicato. But when you've listened to this as many times as I have, you get a bit particular about things like that. Still, an excellent performance! Thanks!

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

Just a quick one: you know how you and I bot think of this as the sine qua non of all possible expressions of what life is (outside of the Bible)? Well, here's a thought - what about for our average truck driver or brick-layer who not only has never heard this piece before, but has also not ever listened to classical music? For him such a mirror and sublime reflection of life would be, say Oasis' track' Wonder wall'. My Point? Really quite simple - thinking (like I myself do in my comment below) of this as the sine qua of all realities (outside of Jesus' teachings and life as recorded in the Bible) - is really nonsense. Why not Wonder wall? Because we are proud. And God is against the proud (James 4:6).

[@cissou357]

bla bla bla ... musique quand ???

[@SonicPhonic]

Sorry, but not a great recording. One of the cellists is way too loud throughout.

[@steveassante6797]

It's totally insane that anyone can't hear this & yet they can accept the absolute one dimensional (Or lack of Musical Tonality) that comprises the Simplistic sound of Popular "Music".....

[@sandygrungerson1177]

I would almost take a less nuanced performance if it meant the performers didn't do the exaggerated postures and facial expressions...this sounds great, but I can't watch it...

[@B121092]

i'd be the same... it is a perfect and beautiful piece

[@pauljones5066]

give up man

[@MusicaAngela]

These musicians were giving us the best of themselves and should not be mocked because of how they look while performing.The music was composed to be listened to and it takes an unbelievably high level of skill to produce the beauty that Schubert intended. These musicians focused on that for your benefit. Be grateful.