The Classics Explained series explores, in words and music, the major classical works of the concert hall. In an accessible and lively manner, Jeremy Siepmann looks at the history and the form of the great masterpieces of Western music.

'The happiest work in the world', it's been called. 'The ultimate feel-good piece'. 'The only work that nobody doesn't like'. The 'Trout' Quintet, named after the Schubert song that provides the theme for the fourth movement, gives us Schubert at his most irresistible: a veritable fountain of wonderful tunes, rippling, dancing rhythms, and amazing surprises. It all sounds as effortless and spontaneous as music gets. But it's the amazing art behind this appearance of total naturalness that concerns us here. And unravelling it is almost as much fun as the piece, which is also presented here in its entirety, movement by movement after each chapter of discovery.

How has Schubert created an irresistible piece of such infectious good humour? How does this tightly structured quartet conjure up such a crystal clear aquatic picture? Carefully, accessibly, and with absorbing detail, Jeremy Siepmann answers these questions and takes us right inside the 'Trout' Quintet, leaving us with a greater understanding and a renewed enthusiasm for the music.