Bechtler Ensemble: Tapestry of Sound

The musical legacy of Franz Schubert (1797 – 1828) constantly reminds listeners of the astounding power of melody, and in this, his final instrumental work, Quintet in C Major, the composer penned some of his most ravishing movements. The work is in four movements, and in each of them the composer pairs the instrumental forces in such a way as to make them sound constantly new, a considerable achievement, given the Quintet’s length.

Composed in the late summer or early fall of 1828, the Quin­tet was finally completed in early October, just two months before Schubert’s death. The com­poser listed it among the com­po­si­tions he offered the pub­lisher Hein­rich Albert Probst in a let­ter dated Octo­ber 2, in which he explained “finally I have written a quintet for 2 violins, 1 viola, and 2 violoncello ... the quintet rehearsal will begin in the next few days. Should any of these compositions by any chance commend themselves to you, please let me know.” Probst was not inter­ested. Schu­bert was able to hear a pri­vate rehearsal of the work in late Octo­ber, before his death. Considered today to be one of the great­est of all cham­ber works, it remained unheard in pub­lic until 1850, twenty-two years after the composer’s death.

Schu­bert did not fol­low the path of Mozart and Beethoven when choosing the instrumentation for his Quintet. Rather he decided to add a darker more grave sound to the ensemble by adding a sec­ond cello.

PROGRAM

Coming Soon 

PERFORMANCE

Concerts are performed at 6 p.m. in the fourth-floor gallery. General seating will be available at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar being available at the same time.

TICKETS

Tickets are $14 per person for the public and just $10 per person for museum members. Purchase Tickets online, by phone at 704.353.9200 or at the admission desk.

Sponsorship for the Music and Museum: Bechtler Ensemble Series is provided by Natascha Bechtler, George and Peg Povinelli and Donald Sohn.