Lebensmuth, Schubert: Streichquartette Nr.1 & 15 Signum Quartett

• Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828): An die Nachtigall, D. 497:
• 1 Schubert: An die Nachtigall, D. 497 01:21
• String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, D. 18:
• 2 Schubert: String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, D. 18: I. Andante — Presto vivace 05:27
• 3 Schubert: String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, D. 18: II. Menuetto — Trio 02:58
• 4 Schubert: String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, D. 18: III. Andante 02:54
• 5 Schubert: String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, D. 18: IV. Presto 03:42
• An den Mond, D. 259:
• 6 Schubert: An den Mond, D. 259 01:05
• Das Weinen, D. 926:
• 7 Schubert: Das Weinen, D. 926 01:32
• Im Frühling, D 882:
• 8 Schubert: Im Frühling, D 882 04:27
• Lebensmuth, D. 937 (Fragment):
• 9 Schubert: Lebensmuth, D. 937 (Fragment) 00:57
• String Quartet N. 15 in G Major, D. 887:
• 10 Schubert: String Quartet N. 15 in G Major, D. 887: I. Allegro molto moderato 20:12
• 11 Schubert: String Quartet N. 15 in G Major, D. 887: II. Andante un poco moto 11:00
• 12 Schubert: String Quartet N. 15 in G Major, D. 887: III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace – Trio. Allegretto 07:17
• 13 Schubert: String Quartet N. 15 in G Major, D. 887: IV. Allegro assai 12:06
• An die Musik D. 547:
• 14 Schubert: An die Musik D. 547 02:45
• Total Runtime 01:17:43

Info for Lebensmuth, Schubert: Streichquartette Nr.1 & 15

Lebensmuth is the final episode of Signum Quartett’s acclaimed Schubert trilogy, in which early and late string quartets are combined with song arrangements created by the group’s violist Xandi van Dijk. Schubert’s First String Quartet in G Minor, written when he was 13, already reveals his inclination to bold and unexpected moves. His last String Quartet in G major, D. 887 veers between a profound examination of personal trauma and a blazing triumph over adversity, and it is this resilience of spirit which is further highlighted by songs such as ‘An die Musik’ and ‘Lebensmuth’, pieces that courageously embrace life and all the beauty it offers.

The Signum Quartett is frequently hailed as one of the most adventurous and outstanding ensembles of today. The quartet’s first Pentatone recording Aus der Ferne (2018) won an Opus Klassik 2019 award, as well as a diapason d’or, and was followed by Ins stille Land (2020).

Signum Quartett

Signum Quartett
Thanks to its rousing and lively interpretations and individual programme concepts, the Signum Quartet has made its mark on the international quartet scene and has established itself as one of the most distinguished ensembles of its generation.

Intensive studies with the Alban Berg Quartet, Artemis Quartet and the Melos Quartet as well as collaborations with György Kurtág, Walter Levin, Alfred Brendel, Leon Fleisher and Joerg Widmann have shaped the artistic development of the Signum Quartet, which has won numerous awards (German Music Competition, Premio Paolo Borciani, London International String Quartet Competition) and has been accorded intensive support (i.a. BBC New Generation Artists, stART-Programm/ Bayer Kultur).

Concert appearances have taken the Signum Quartet to international podia from Madrid and Barcelona to Basel and Paris. The quartet has performed at the Hamburg Laeiszhalle, the Berlin Philharmonie and Konzerthaus, the Luxemburg Philharmonie, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the Konzerthaus Vienna, the Wigmore Hall London, the Gewandhaus Leipzig, the Boston Harvard Musical Association as well as at the Schleswig-Holstein, Rheingau and Schwetzingen Music Festivals and at the BBC Proms.

The Signum Quartet’s discography is a testament to their stylistic range: Next to the greats of the quartet literature, there are rarities such as the quartets of Ludwig Thuille and a recording of quartet movements.

Their recording ‘No.3’ (Bartók, Berg and Schnittke) was awarded the International Classical Music Awards 2014 ‘Best Chamber Music Recording’. Subsequent recordings include “soundescapes“ (Ravel, Debussy, Adès) and “Alla czeca“ (Suk, Schulhoff, Dvorák), which will be followed by a recording of works by Franz Schubert.

Regular collaborations with contemporary composers are an integral aspect of the Signum Quartet’s artistic work. Bruno Mantovani dedicated his String Quartet No. 3 to the ensemble, which they performed to great acclaim in Paris, Vienna, Luxembourg and Frankfurt in the 2016/ 17 season.

In 2015, the quartet launched its innovative social media project #quartweet, where composers of all ages and abilities are invited to tweet a short quartet of 140 notes or less on Twitter. The project has received much media attention and been featured on Deutschlandfunk, BBC In Tune and BR U-21. Contributing composers include Grawemeyer Award winners Brett Dean and Sebastian Currier, Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw, Bruno Mantovani, and Kevin Volans.

Chamber music partners of the quartet include Joerg Widmann, Igor Levit, Nils Moenkemeyer, Adrian Brendel and Dominique Horwitz.

Booklet for Lebensmuth, Schubert: Streichquartette Nr.1 & 15