GEORGES ONSLOW (1784-1853): String Quintets, Vol. 4 - No. 23 in A Minor, Op. 58 and No. 31 in A, Op. 75.

Description: A master of the quintet medium, Onslow offered variations of ensemble to players, the two presented here being cast for string quartet and double bass. The tempestuous No. 23 of 1836 is charged with almost ceaseless nervous energy and Schubertian lyricism; the mature No.31 (1847-48) is both subtle and elegant, with a brilliant assemblage of details such as walking bass and violin-cello duets. Elan Quintet.