Beethoven: The Complete Music for Piano Trio, Vol. 3 (2004)

Considering that Beethoven's Piano Trios, Op. 1/1 & 2, and the fledgling effort of the Piano Trio, WoO 38 are, practically speaking, advanced student works, one should not expect to find the composer in his fully formed, stormy persona here. Indeed, a smiling Haydn leans over young Beethoven's shoulder in these pieces, much as he likely did in life, and to stretch the image a bit, it seems that the ghost of Mozart can be felt hovering nearby. Such is the Classical orientation of these works, where elegance and bonhomie are ... Read More

Considering that Beethoven's Piano Trios, Op. 1/1 & 2, and the fledgling effort of the Piano Trio, WoO 38 are, practically speaking, advanced student works, one should not expect to find the composer in his fully formed, stormy persona here. Indeed, a smiling Haydn leans over young Beethoven's shoulder in these pieces, much as he likely did in life, and to stretch the image a bit, it seems that the ghost of Mozart can be felt hovering nearby. Such is the Classical orientation of these works, where elegance and bonhomie are watchwords, and it is appropriate that these pleasant trios are performed by the sophisticated and good-natured musicians of the Florestan Trio. Violinist Anthony Marwood, cellist Richard Lester, and pianist Susan Tomes have received numerous accolades for their brilliant performances of the piano trios of Dvorák, Brahms, and Schubert, among others, and this is the third volume of their continuing series of Beethoven recordings. While Marwood and Lester have substantial parts, the... Read Less