Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Performer: Swiss Piano Trio
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Audite
Catalogue: AUDITE97694
Release: 2016
Size: 284 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor, Op. 1 No. 3
01. I. Allegro con brio
02. II. Andante cantabile con variazioni
03. III. Menuetto. Quasi allegro
04. IV. Finale. Prestissimo
05. Piano Trio No. 10 in E flat major, Op. 44 ‘Variations on an Original Theme’
Piano Trio No. 6 in E flat Major, Op. 70 No. 2
06. I. Poco sostenuto – Allegro ma non troppo
07. II. Allegretto
08. III. Allegretto ma non troppo
09. IV. Finale. Allegro
The third series of the complete recordings of the works for piano trio made by the Swiss Piano Trio presents a key work of Beethoven – the Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3 published in 1795 – which also achieved central importance for Beethoven’s music beyond the genre of the piano trio.
Already here, Beethoven tested the approach of a condensation of thematic relationships in order to create a compelling formal and dramatic plot, at the same time creating a broad expressive spectrum.
The fifth Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op. 70, No. 2 composed in 1808 goes a decisive step beyond that: unexpected elements and a subjectification come to light here that were to exercise a substantial influence on the romantic generation.
The 14 Variations on an Original Theme in E-flat major, Op. 44, unfortunately regarded as merely a work of secondary importance, reveal a witty and calculating composer who is able to elicit an incredible plethora of variations and metamorphoses from a banal triadic theme. It is to a certain extent a „finger exercise“, but it reveals in each moment the superiority of the composer Beethoven, admired by and puzzling to his contemporaries in equal measure.