SCHUBERT: COMPLETE STRING QUARTETS - VOLUME 6 Coull Quartet Upbeat Classics, URCD 162 Full Price

Like deep water that seems shallow because it is so clear, the naive genius of early Schubert presents musicians with a fearfully exposing challenge. The sixteen-year old composer penned the works on this, the sixth volume of Schubert quartets to be recorded by the Coull Quartet, in 1813. Brisk compositions, thrusting with enthusiasm and inventiveness, they are performed here with extrovert vigour by the Coull Quartet, whose full-flavoured playing deals well with ever-present textural and harmonic caprice.

Of particular interest on this disc are the Five Minuets and Five German Dances (D89), which evince Schubert's propensity and talent for the miniature. Distinguished amongst them is the Minuet in D minor, which, like many of his Lieder, achieves a potent characterisation with lively detail and furtive contrast. It is here that the Coull Quartet shows its muscle. I was more impressed by their execution of this material than by any of the undoubtedly nimble passagework of other movements, since, for me, it provides a full impression of the bewildering paradox of elusive individuality and formal classicism that Schubert presents.

In isolation this glimpse of compositional breadth is certainly intriguing, but, as part of a complete series, it will afford a valuable perspective over the gestation of style in mature works.

Crispin Woodhead