On May 13, 2024, at the Perelman Theater within the Kimmel Center, pianist Jonathan Biss, along with members of the Brentano String Quartet and double bassist Joseph Conyers, performed Schubert's "Quintet in A Major, D. 667," also known as the "Trout" Quintet. This concert was part of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society's season.
The "Trout" Quintet is noted for its simplicity and optimism, contrasting sharply with Beethoven’s "Opus 130 in B Flat," which was also performed during the event. While the Schubert piece was characterized by joy, the Beethoven composition, one of his last works, presented a more complex and ambiguous challenge, described as harmonically slippery and featuring intricate interplays among the instruments.
The Brentano String Quartet, with a long history of performing together, displayed a tightly unified performance. Their ensemble work was highlighted by their ability to seamlessly transition motifs between instruments and maintain coherence even through silent passages. The addition of Jonathan Biss and Joseph Conyers for the Schubert piece added extra layers of melodic and soulful expressions to the performance. The ensemble achieved a cohesive performance, culminating in a particularly polished fourth movement.