Forellenquintett = Trout Quintet = Quintetto "La Trota"

Franz Schubert composed his Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667, in 1819 while summering in Steyr, Austria. Written at the request of a local music patron, it earned its nickname from the fourth movement, which is a set of variations on Schubert's own 1817 lied, Die Forelle. The work is distinct for its instrumentation, substituting the traditional second violin with a double bass to achieve a lighter, more transparent texture that highlights the piano and strings.

This specific recording was produced by Deutsche Grammophon in 1979, pairing the renowned Russian pianist Emil Gilels with members of the Amadeus Quartet and double bassist Rainer Zepperitz. As part of the label's prestigious catalog, the release is celebrated for its balanced, intimate interpretation of the chamber music standard. The performance remains a touchstone for listeners, noted for Gilels’s lyrical precision and the ensemble’s cohesive, thoughtful approach to Schubert’s melodic architecture.