Forellen-Quintett (Quintet In A Op. 114 >>Trout<< = Quintette En La Majeur Op. 114 >>La Truite<<)

Franz Schubert composed his Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667, known as the 'Trout' Quintet, in 1819 while vacationing in the Austrian Alps. The work was commissioned by music patron Sylvester Paumgartner, who specifically requested that the quintet include a set of variations on Schubert’s own song, 'Die Forelle.' Designed for a non-traditional ensemble of piano, violin, viola, cello, and double bass, the composition is celebrated for its lighthearted, chamber-music texture and became a staple of the repertoire following its posthumous publication in 1829.

This specific recording was released on the Eurodisc label in 1977, featuring the Endres-Quartett alongside pianist Wolfgang Sawallisch. The production was part of the label's QUADRO SQ series, which utilized quadraphonic sound technology to provide a more immersive listening experience. Sawallisch, better known as a prolific conductor, maintained a lifelong devotion to chamber music, and his collaboration with the Endres-Quartett is noted by critics for its balanced, classical approach to Schubert’s melodic phrasing.