Album: Schubert: Piano Quintet D. 667, “The Trout” / Dvořák: Piano Quartet No. 1, Op. 23
Artists: DSCH—Shostakovich Ensemble
Performers: Filipe Pinto-Ribeiro (piano), Esther Hoppe (violin), Lars Anders Tomter (viola), Christian Poltéra (cello), Tiago Pinto-Ribeiro (double bass)
Label: LAWO Classics
Catalogue Number: LWC1423
Recording Dates: 26–29 October 2025
Recording Location: Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Germany
Portuguese Chamber Ensemble Unites Internationally Acclaimed Musicians in a New Recording of Two Cornerstones of Romantic Chamber Music
The DSCH—Shostakovich Ensemble presents a new recording featuring two celebrated works from the Romantic chamber music repertoire: Franz Schubert’s Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667, “The Trout” and Antonín Dvořák’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 23. Released by LAWO Classics, the album brings together an internationally acclaimed group of musicians for a performance that explores the lyrical beauty, expressive contrasts and intricate interplay of these two masterpieces.
Founded in 2006 by pianist and artistic director Filipe Pinto-Ribeiro, the Lisbon-based DSCH—Shostakovich Ensemble has established itself as a prominent chamber music collective, bringing together outstanding performers from across the international classical music scene. The ensemble’s flexible format encourages artistic collaboration and a repertoire spanning several musical periods, from the Classical era to contemporary compositions.
Schubert’s “The Trout” is among the composer’s most recognisable instrumental works. Written in 1819, during a summer visit to the Austrian town of Steyr, the quintet was inspired in part by the suggestion of music patron Sylvester Paumgartner, who commissioned a work using the unusual instrumentation of piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass. Schubert incorporated the melody of his earlier song Die Forelle (“The Trout”), transforming it into a series of five variations in the work’s fourth movement.
The quintet is distinguished by its flowing melodies, lively rhythms and warm, convivial atmosphere, reflecting the circumstances surrounding its creation. Across its five movements, Schubert develops a rich musical dialogue between the instruments, balancing the piano’s expressive flourishes with the resonant foundation of the double bass. The result is a work that captures the composer’s gift for melodic invention and his distinctive approach to chamber music.
The recording also features Dvořák’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 23, composed in 1875 during a particularly productive period in the Czech composer’s career. Following the award of the Austrian State Prize, Dvořák entered a period of intense creativity, completing the quartet in just 18 days. The composition showcases his emerging musical identity through folk-inspired melodies, rhythmic vitality, lyrical passages and distinctive Slavic influences.
Structured in three movements, the quartet moves between reflective passages and energetic musical exchanges. Its second movement, built around a theme and five variations, introduces contrasting moods that anticipate Dvořák’s later exploration of the Bohemian Dumka tradition. The final movement incorporates rhythms associated with the Czech furiant folk dance, bringing the work to an exuberant conclusion.
Together, the two compositions reveal different yet complementary approaches to Romantic chamber music, highlighting the composers’ abilities to create expansive melodies, explore instrumental colours and balance emotional depth with moments of musical exuberance.
The ensemble is led by Filipe Pinto-Ribeiro on piano, alongside violinist Esther Hoppe, violist Lars Anders Tomter, cellist Christian Poltéra and double bassist Tiago Pinto-Ribeiro. Each musician brings extensive international performance experience to the recording, with careers encompassing major concert halls, prestigious festivals, solo performances and distinguished chamber music collaborations.
Since its foundation, the DSCH—Shostakovich Ensemble has performed internationally and appeared in major concert series and festivals across several continents. Its critically acclaimed discography includes the world premiere recording of Dmitry Shostakovich’s complete chamber music for piano and strings, released in 2016, as well as Beethoven’s Piano Trios Op. 11 and Op. 38, released in 2021.
Recorded from 26 to 29 October 2025 at Reitstadel in Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Germany, the album was produced by Vegard Landaas, with Thomas Woldén responsible for balance engineering and mastering. The recording was made possible with support from the Portuguese Republic’s Directorate-General for the Arts.
With this release, the DSCH—Shostakovich Ensemble brings together two defining works of the chamber music repertoire, offering listeners an opportunity to experience the melodic richness of Schubert and the distinctive rhythmic and lyrical character of Dvořák through the ensemble’s collaborative approach.
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