Haydn: Piano Trios (2006)

Haydn will certainly live on forever in history as the father of both the symphony and string quartet. Of course, during his long lifetime he dabbled at least a little in virtually every genre available to him at the time. Piano trios were no exception, and with 45 such works to his name, it's curious why the works are not performed more frequently. Granted, Haydn was not the innovator with the piano trio the way he was with symphonies and quartets; his compositions are still very much grounded in the Baroque trio sonata ... Read More

Haydn will certainly live on forever in history as the father of both the symphony and string quartet. Of course, during his long lifetime he dabbled at least a little in virtually every genre available to him at the time. Piano trios were no exception, and with 45 such works to his name, it's curious why the works are not performed more frequently. Granted, Haydn was not the innovator with the piano trio the way he was with symphonies and quartets; his compositions are still very much grounded in the Baroque trio sonata tradition, and the string players are usually subjugated to supporting rolls aside the piano. But with the right performance, these works are charming and playful. Trio 1790, on the CPO label, has produced one such recording on period instruments (including fortepiano). As for recordings with modern instruments, the Beaux Arts Trio has of course recorded many of the works, but with all deference to that celebrated ensemble, it's lacking in spontaneity and energy. Not so with this... Read Less