Schubert and Vaughan Williams

A remarkable debut by Lucie Horsch as a pianist in the Muziekgebouw. This now world-renowned recorder player is a true multi-talent, having also showcased her vocal abilities in the past. This time, surrounded by great musicians such as Liza Ferschtman and Olivier Thiery, she takes place behind the grand piano to perform Vaughan Williams’ rarely heard Piano Quintet and Schubert’s eternally uplifting Trout Quintet. The common thread between the two works is the double bass in the string ensemble. 

Schubert’s Piano Quintet was an instant success. Its popularity can largely be attributed to the captivating fourth movement: a set of variations on Schubert’s own song Die Forelle. The double bass’s role in playing the bass line allows Lucie Horsch to dazzle on the piano in the higher register. Vaughan Williams was not satisfied with his quintet and withdrew it. It took until 1999 for it to be reintroduced into the repertoire, and rightly so: it’s a veritable masterpiece that deserves to be performed at the highest level.