Franz Schubert - String Quartets D. 887, D. 703 (Zemlinsky Quartet)

Information

Composer: Franz Schubert

• String Quartet No. 15 in G Major, D. 887
• String Quartet No. 12 in C Minor, D. 703 "Quartettsatz"

Zemlinsky Quartet

    František Souček, violin

    Petr Střížek, violin

    Petr Holman, viola

    Vladimír Fortin, cello

Date: 2026

Label: Evil Penguin Classic

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The late string quartets of Franz Schubert are celebrated for their profound emotional depth, expanded formal structures, and bold harmonic innovation. These works transformed the classical string quartet tradition by introducing a heightened Romantic sensibility marked by dramatic contrasts, lyrical intensity, and explorations of mortality and psychological conflict. Through their large-scale architecture and expressive cohesion, Schubert’s quartets pushed chamber music beyond conventional boundaries, creating works of remarkable emotional and structural complexity. Their combination of intimacy and symphonic scope profoundly influenced later composers and played a pivotal role in shaping the development of the Romantic string quartet tradition.

Founded in 1994, the Zemlinsky Quartet is internationally recognized as a leading representative of the Czech chamber music tradition. The ensemble has earned major honors, including the First Grand Prize at the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition, and has performed at prestigious venues such as Wigmore Hall, the Library of Congress, and the Prague Spring Festival. Renowned for its extensive repertoire and acclaimed recordings for Praga Digitals, the quartet is particularly noted for complete recordings of works by Antonín Dvořák and Alexander Zemlinsky. Alongside international touring, the ensemble remains deeply committed to music education and artistic mentorship.

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