Franz Schubert - Die schöne Müllerin (Roderick Williams; Carducci String Quartet)

Information

Composer: Franz Schubert

• Die schöne Müllerin, Op. 25, D. 795

Roderick Williams, baritone & arrangements

Carducci String Quartet

    Matthew Denton, violin

    Michelle Fleming, violin

    Eoin Schmidt-Martin, viola

    Emma Denton, cello

Date: 2026

Label: Signum Classics

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This album presents a new arrangement of Franz Schubert’s song cycle Die schöne Müllerin, performed by baritone Roderick Williams with the Carducci Quartet. Originally composed in 1823 for voice and piano, the cycle sets poems by Wilhelm Müller that trace the emotional journey of a young miller through hope, love, jealousy and despair. In this recording, the piano part is reimagined for string quartet, drawing out the implied instrumental textures in Schubert’s writing while preserving the narrative flow of the songs. The arrangement offers a fresh perspective on the work’s structure and atmosphere, highlighting its central Romantic themes of nature, longing and reflection.

Roderick Williams (born 1965) is a highly sought-after baritone who performs a vast repertoire spanning from the Baroque era to contemporary music. Renowned globally as an operatic performer, concert soloist, and recitalist, Williams maintains close ties with major British opera houses and has premiered numerous modern operas. He regularly collaborates with elite international ensembles, including the London and New York Philharmonic Orchestras, and has held prestigious artistic residencies with organizations like the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Williams’s career is marked by notable festival appearances, an OBE award, and an invitation to compose and perform for King Charles III’s coronation.

Founded in 1997, the award-winning Carducci Quartet is internationally acclaimed for its exceptional musical unanimity, versatility, and mastery of both core and contemporary repertoires. The ensemble routinely performs at premier global venues like Carnegie Hall and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and has secured top prizes in prestigious competitions. Renowned for their specialization in the music of Dmitry Shostakovich—earning a Royal Philharmonic Society Award for their comprehensive performance cycles—the quartet also champions minimalism, achieving over 21 million Spotify streams for their Philip Glass recordings. Deeply committed to education, they maintain high-profile conservatoire residencies and operate a dedicated music trust.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz