Trio Wanderer, Christophe Gaugué, Stéphane Logerot - Hummel, Schubert: Quintets (2003)

likely to divide listeners. Some may object to French players performing Austro-German music, while others will embrace the notion of musical internationalism. Others may object to first-rate Schubert being joined to second-rate Hummel, while others will enjoy the chance to hear an unfamiliar as well as a familiar work.
After they hear it, however, most listeners will likely agree on two things. First, they will likely find that the French players do a marvelous job of breathing life into both these works. With a sparkling tone and an alert ensemble, the Trio Wanderer makes the melodies, harmonies, and especially the rhythms of Schubert's lovely "Trout" quintet come alive in ways that more traditional central European readings don't always succeed in doing. Second, they will likely concur that Schubert' leisurely lyrical quintet is far superior to Hummel's arduously dramatic quintet. Despite the Trio Wanderer's best efforts, the momentum of the opening Allegro e risoluto assai falters because of too many rhetorical pauses and the melodies of the central Largo meaninglessly meander despite being only two- and-a-half minutes long. Thus, though this 2003 disc boasts clear, deep digital sound, at least half of it will appeal only to the most dedicated chamber music listeners.