Schubert's otherworldly adagio

Schubert's Quintet in C major is a strange piece for a couple of reasons. It deviates from the traditional string quintet of 2 violins, 2 violas and 1 cello, opting instead to double the cellos instead of the violas, which gives it a deeper, perhaps even darker sonority. In this movement, we see how Schubert takes advantage of this disposition, effectively creating a string trio in the middle with two outer layers of a solo violin line and a bass dedicated to pizzicato. These two layers are in constant exchange and seem to be the main driving force of the music, while the chorale-like string trio create the harmonic background which instead provides a tranquil stasis. The lack of melody is probably the most interesting bit, some might argue the melody lies in violin 2 with its long phrases and melodic turns yet it seems more like filler melodic material to me. If anything I'm more likely to argue for the case of a fragmented melody in violin 1, especially with the marking "espressivo" and its uncanny similarity to the melody in his Fantasie in F minor. Yet again its general lack of melodic contour and fragmented nature makes it hard to listen to as such. (perhaps an interesting comparison could be made to Beethoven's 7th Allegretto) But I suppose it becomes clear after a close harmonic analysis since, really, the unexpected harmonic turns and masterful modulations provide such an expressive and sublime backdrop.

Recording(Borodin Quartet, Buzlov):    • Franz Schubert String Quintet in C Ma...