Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio
Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio
The Gramophone Choice
Coupled with Smetana Piano Trio in G minor, Op 15
Vienna Piano Trio (Wolfgang Redik vn Matthias Gredler vc Stefan Mendl pf)
Dabringhaus und Grimm MDG342 1512-2; SACD MDG942 1512-6 (74’ · DDD/DSD) Buy from Amazon
This version of the Tchaikovsky measures up extremely well against its competition; moreover it is (like all chamber recordings from this source) very well balanced. Pianist Stefan Mendl is able to dominate yet become a full member of the partnership throughout. The second movement’s variations open gently but soon develop the widest range of style, moving through Tchaikovsky’s kaleidoscopic mood-changes like quicksilver and often with elegiac lyrical feeling.
But what makes this disc especially recommendable is the inclusion of Smetana’s G minor Piano Trio, which the composer himself premiered in 1855. All three movements are in the home key and thematically linked yet are enticingly diverse, the first with strong contrasts of dynamic and tempo, the second a most engaging scherzo (marked non agitato and with slower interludes), while the rondo finale bursts with energy (especially as presented here). All in all a real winner of a disc that can be highly recommended on all counts.
Additional Recommendation
Coupled with Rachmaninov Trio élégiaque No 1
Kempf Trio
BIS BIS-CD1302 (69‘ · DDD) Buy from Amazon
Freddy Kempf leads with great conviction, yet can pull back whenever his colleagues are in the ascendant. The very opening is lyrically seductive, and the closing pages, with a moving reprise of the opening theme at the Lugubre finale, are most sensitively managed. The recording is very well balanced, and the acoustic seems equally suitable for both works.
