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Schubert: Complete Trios

Philips

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1. String Trio In B Flat, D.581: I. Allegro moderato
2. String Trio In B Flat, D.581: II. Andante
3. String Trio In B Flat, D.581: III. Menuetto (Allegretto)
4. String Trio In B Flat, D.581: IV. Rondo (Allegretto)
5. String Trio In B Flat, D. 471--Allegro
6. Piano Trio In B Flat, D.898: I. Allegro moderato
7. Piano Trio In B Flat, D.898: II. Andante un poco mosso
8. Piano Trio In B Flat, D.898: III. Scherzo (Allegro)
9. Piano Trio In B Flat, D.898: IV. Rondo (Allegro vivace)
10. Piano Trio In E Flat, C.929: I. Allegro
11. Piano Trio In E Flat, C.929: II. Andante con moto
12. Piano Trio In E Flat, C.929: III. Scherzo (Allegro moderato)
13. Piano Trio In E Flat, C.929: IV. Allegro moderato
14. Piano Trio In One Movement In B Flat, D.28: Allegro
15. Adagio In E Flat, D.897

Average customer rating:

Buy this for the Grumiaux trio's performance of D 581

Schubert lovers may be drawn to this CD because of the Beaux Art trio's fame, but the best performance on the CD is the Grumiaux trio's String trio in B flat. Arthur Grumiaux's artistry on the violin raises this trio to sumblime heights. His phrasing and tone are exquisite and transport the listener to a place out of time.
The Beaux Art trio's performance is quite good, but they take second place to the incomparable Grumiaux.

ho hum

an outstandingly mediocre performance of some of my favorite chamber music. happy to have it in my library for the price -- it's a total bargain. but this recording shall always remain, in my mind, a reference point, not a goal for other ensembles to surpass. this cd is definitely worth the price -- you get more than you pay for. however, regardless of the price, this will likely be my last beaux arts trio purchase. imprecise and poor pitch, in my humble opinion....

Of bright world and master music

Straight off, the five stars are for the two major works of this double CD. They stand on a higher plane than four secondary pieces also included in the set. The B flat and E flat piano trios are among Schubert's best chamber music compositions; they don't (can't) reach the peaks of his C major string quintet, but then nothing else in chamber music does except Beethoven's late quartets. Robert Schumann praised both works. Of the B flat trio he wrote that it made "the troubles of our human existence disappear and all the world is fresh and bright again." And in reviewing Mendelssohn's D minor piano trio he said it was "the master trio of the age, as were the B flat and D major trios of Beethoven and the E flat trio of Schubert in their times."

Here then is one trio that brightens our lives and another that was the master trio of its time!

From the first movement's confident opening theme to the finale's outpouring of cheer, the B flat trio offers beguiling rhythms -- just listen to the piano's pearly right hand notes -- and beautifully worked out melodies. In the second movement the cello introduces the lyrical first theme; when the violin joins in, the melody becomes an exquisite duet sung by the strings, accompanied softly by the piano. Such music doesn't play itself. It takes understanding and perfect ensemble to bring it off, and Beaux Arts Trio typically rises to the occasion. The third movement is a sprightly scherzo; its middle section, an airy waltz that reminds us of Schubert's Viennese bonds. To cap it all, the finale presents one joyful expression of three wonderful players making music.

Beaux Arts Trio's accomplished performance continues in the E flat trio -- an intricate work that's rhythmically vital and rich in melodic material. It's difficult to approximate in words what it's like. It bears listening to many times, never wearing thin. The first movement combines drama with lyricism. The principal theme of the second movement, one of subtle beauty, is introduced by the sonorous voice of the cello; it provides passages of pure magic, with the piano accompaniment adding to the magic. There follows a fascinating canonic scherzo movement, before a finale that is almost entirely rhythmic from beginning to end; almost, because twice the sonorous cello comes in intoning the beautiful principal theme of the second movement, a wonderful touch by Schubert that adds unity to the trio. Those who think the last movement is too long may be referring to the original unabridged version. But Schubert himself authorized cutting out two passages, and the result I find not one bit too long. Indications are that Schubert valued this trio highly. In 1828, a few months before he died, he arranged a concert in which the E flat trio featured as the main work of the program. By any standard, this is truly master music.

A Hidden Gem Worth Taking Without Hesitation!

The Grumiaux Trio and the Beaux Arts trio are highly respected groups in the domain of chamber music and rank as highly as groups such as the Guarneri Quartet. These earlier performances of Schubert are exquisite in their execution and the only defect here is perhaps a slightly reduced sound quality than your typical contemporary performances due to its age. This is barely noticeable however and this CD is really a steal for the price.

The trios of Schubert are a good way of exploring various periods of his life in which he composed drastically different arrangements. His Piano Trio D. 28 is a good example of his foundations in Mozart and early Beethoven until you reach his Piano Trio D. 929 (performed often in Kurbrick's 'Barry Lyndon') where Schubert explores much more on impressionistic themes than romantic ones. Such themes were only pursued later by composers such as Brahms and Schumann. Liszt's romanticism was also stongly influenced by both Beethoven and Schubert. Of the performances I really have nothing to say as they are simply flawless and there are few I could compare. The sound has some disadvantages but not really significant ones.

This is really a magnificent performance giving you Schubert's complete trios on two CDs. For the quality of performance you get it's a bargain. I am glad I got it as it was worth every dollar.

first CD best

I enjoyed the string trios and first piano trio far more than the piano trios on the second CD. Those pieces seemed to stretch Schubert's tendency to repeat sections with slow development to the limit of my toleration. The recordings here are somewhat distant at times but the individual instruments are easy to discern. My comment above about the compositions reflects personal taste -- reasons I generally prefer Beethoven to Schubert. If the pace of his development is to your liking you might very well consider this a "5 star" recording. Recommended with some reservations.