Schubert: String Quartet No. 14/Sibelius: String Quartet Op. 56

Astonishingly beautiful and delicate music from a top notch young quartet. The recording is crystal clear, with incredible dynamic range. A side of Schubert that I was not aware of.

Of the many problems facing the classical music industry in the 21st century, there are two which are particularly relevant here:a) do we need new recordings of famous pieces?b) how should such recordings be marketed?In respect of a), there are many great recordings of Schubert's 'Death and the Maiden' already out there: wonderful historical documents, like those by the Amadeus and Busch quartets, or more modern ones like the Julliard, Lindsay and Takacs recordings. The Sibelius op.56 is less well covered but there are still a lot of recordings out there. (The Emersons on DG still stand out.) While this is a very fine performance of both, one questions whether it really needs to be there.As regards b), this is, in terms of product design, an abject failure. The choice of a revolting Edvard Munch sketch as cover art adds a totally unsuitable air of sleaze, more suited to a high school heavy metal band; that, plus the quirky, back-bedroom font, make what is otherwise highly accomplished look rather amateurish.