Playing From Memory

This cd was awarded the disk of the year title in 2003 by Gramophone magazine and I can see why. Robert Schumann's string Quartets Nos 1 and 3 by the Zehetmair Quartet. The Zehetmairs are a unique ensemble. They are not a permanent group, each member has several other committments. Leader Thomas Zehetmair for instance is director of the Northern Sinfonia at the Sage Gateshead, as well as being an in demand soloist. But each year, they commit to learning a small concentrated repertoire. This programme is then performed from memory without the score. I presume it is this policy which meant that the disk only contains two of Schumann's three string quartets, despite there being room physically to fit the other one on the disk. There is no sense of being short changed, however. The music is vital, fresh and life affirming, as are the performances. Playing from memory gives a sense of shared exploration and an almost improvisatory feel. The players are really listening to each other with total concentration. These are probably the last pieces of music written by Schumann before his descent into clinical depression which could add a certain poignancy but to me this disk is just about my favourite in the string quartet cattegory.