Lebensmuth, Schubert: Streichquartette Nr.1 & 15 Signum Quartett

• Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828): An die Nachtigall, D. 497:
• 1 Schubert: An die Nachtigall, D. 497 01:21
• String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, D. 18:
• 2 Schubert: String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, D. 18: I. Andante — Presto vivace 05:27
• 3 Schubert: String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, D. 18: II. Menuetto — Trio 02:58
• 4 Schubert: String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, D. 18: III. Andante 02:54
• 5 Schubert: String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, D. 18: IV. Presto 03:42
• An den Mond, D. 259:
• 6 Schubert: An den Mond, D. 259 01:05
• Das Weinen, D. 926:
• 7 Schubert: Das Weinen, D. 926 01:32
• Im Frühling, D 882:
• 8 Schubert: Im Frühling, D 882 04:27
• Lebensmuth, D. 937 (Fragment):
• 9 Schubert: Lebensmuth, D. 937 (Fragment) 00:57
• String Quartet N. 15 in G Major, D. 887:
• 10 Schubert: String Quartet N. 15 in G Major, D. 887: I. Allegro molto moderato 20:12
• 11 Schubert: String Quartet N. 15 in G Major, D. 887: II. Andante un poco moto 11:00
• 12 Schubert: String Quartet N. 15 in G Major, D. 887: III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace – Trio. Allegretto 07:17
• 13 Schubert: String Quartet N. 15 in G Major, D. 887: IV. Allegro assai 12:06
• An die Musik D. 547:
• 14 Schubert: An die Musik D. 547 02:45
• Total Runtime 01:17:43

Info for Lebensmuth, Schubert: Streichquartette Nr.1 & 15

Lebensmuth is the final episode of Signum Quartett’s acclaimed Schubert trilogy, in which early and late string quartets are combined with song arrangements created by the group’s violist Xandi van Dijk. Schubert’s First String Quartet in G Minor, written when he was 13, already reveals his inclination to bold and unexpected moves. His last String Quartet in G major, D. 887 veers between a profound examination of personal trauma and a blazing triumph over adversity, and it is this resilience of spirit which is further highlighted by songs such as ‘An die Musik’ and ‘Lebensmuth’, pieces that courageously embrace life and all the beauty it offers.

The Signum Quartett is frequently hailed as one of the most adventurous and outstanding ensembles of today. The quartet’s first Pentatone recording Aus der Ferne (2018) won an Opus Klassik 2019 award, as well as a diapason d’or, and was followed by Ins stille Land (2020).

Signum Quartett

Signum Quartet
Performances of unsparing expressivity, intimacy and vitality are hallmarks of the Signum Quartet, pairing music making of the subtlest order with playing of the highest intensity. The dramatic composition of their programmes is innovative and distinct, and is realised with uncompromising perfection in interpretations of effortless transparency. (“enormously intelligent and knowledgeable programming”—Rondo Magazin)

The quartet has been a welcome guest at the Wigmore Hall London, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Philharmonie de Paris, Konzerthaus Vienna, Philharmonie Cologne, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and at the BBC Proms, with partners such as Nils Mönkemeyer, Dominique Horwitz, Jörg Widmann, Daniel Ottensamer, Nicolas Altstaedt and Elisabeth Leonskaja. In 2023 the ensemble will gave its debut at Carnegie Hall in New York and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

The Signum Quartet’s discography is a testament to their stylistic range: Next to the greats of the quartet literature, they have recorded works by Wolfgang Rihm, Thomas Adès, Jörg Widmann and Kevin Volans. Their recording of Erkki-Sven Tüür’s Second String Quartet Lost Prayers for ECM won Classical Album of the Year at the Estonian Music Awards 2021. “A dark flaring”, their follow-up album for ECM containing South African compositions, will be released in the spring of 2025.

Following their multi-award-winning album “Aus der Ferne” (Diapason D’Or, Opus Klassik), the Signum Quartet continued its Schubert cycle for PENTATONE with “Ins stille Land”, deepening its exploration of the fascinating connections between his string quartets and songs. (“The Signum’s ‘Death and the Maiden’ is up there with the best from a crowded field”—The Strad). 2023 saw the release of “Lebensmuth”, the final installment of their Schubert trilogy, which has garnered rave reviews and won a further OPUS Klassik in 2024 for Best Chamber Music Album of the Year.

In 2015, the quartet launched its innovative social media project #quartweet, where composers of all ages and abilities are invited to tweet a short quartet of 140 notes or less on Twitter. The project has received much media attention and been featured on Deutschlandfunk, BBC In Tune and BR U-21. Contributing composers include Bruno Mantovani, Grawemeyer Award winners Brett Dean and Sebastian Currier and Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw.

In 2024, the Signum Quartet launched their “Bridge the chasms that divide” project, commemorating 30 years since the fall of apartheid in South Africa. For this, they have invited some of South Africa‘s most original and powerful voices to reflect on their own experiences and journeys before and after 1994, including composers such as Abel Selaocoe and Dizu Plaatjies. This project saw premieres at the Cologne Philharmonie and Boulezsaal Berlin, and an album of the commissioned works will be released in 2026.

In 2022 the quartet established its Bremen-based project SIGNUM open space, supported by Neustart Kultur. This will be a site for rehearsals, recordings, workshops and education initiatives as well as an interactive exchange with the public. Additionally, there will be interdisciplinary projects such as exhibitions, readings, dance and seminars with renowned lecturers.

Booklet for Lebensmuth, Schubert: Streichquartette Nr.1 & 15