Composer: Robert Schumann
Performer: Swiss Piano Trio
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Audite
Catalogue: AUDITE92654
Release: 2011
Size: 238 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 63
01. I. Mit Energie und Leidenschaft
02. II. Lebhaft, doch nicht zu rasch
03. III. Langsam, mit inniger Empfindung
04. IV. Mit Feuer
Piano Trio No. 2 in F major, Op. 80
05. I. Sehr lebhaft
06. II. Mit innigem Ausdruck
07. III. In massiger Bewegung
08. IV. Nicht zu rasch
Following a successful release of piano trios by Mendelssohn, Audite now presents its second recording of the Swiss Piano Trio, featuring Robert Schumann’s piano trios in SACD format.
Composed in 1847, these two works represent significant contributions to the history of the genre as unjustly neglected masterpieces of 19th -century chamber music. Future releases will include Schumann’s Piano Trio Op. 110 alongside the Fantasiestücke Op. 88 and the Piano Trio Op. 17 by Clara Schumann.
The Swiss Piano Trio has won prizes at several competitions, including the International Chamber Music Competition Caltanissetta and the Austrian Johannes Brahms. Since its foundation in 1998, the ensemble has enjoyed a busy performing schedule with concerts in over 35 countries. The Trio performs chamber music in the most prestigious concert halls across the globe; and as an ensemble of soloists, the three musicians regularly appear with renowned orchestras. Numerous recordings for radio, television broadcasts and on disc document the artistic activities of the ensemble.
Though he was inspired to make his first significant contributions to the genre following the publication of one of the most enduringly popular piano trios of all time — Mendelssohn’s D minor Trio — Schumann’s piano trios did not garner the same reaction as Mendelssohn’s, nor have they proven to be especially popular to modern audiences. Schumann tries to say a lot in his trios, imbuing them with song-like qualities, poeticism, and sweeping Romantic gestures. For listeners and performers alike, it can at times be too much to easily digest. Solid, demonstrative performances help greatly in navigating the scores to these works. The Swiss Piano Trio, on this Audite album featuring the First and Second piano trios, provides just such performances. The opening of the D minor trio is surprisingly heavy and stodgy, but this characteristic is fortunately abandoned for the remainder of the album. The ensemble has a unique ability to produce both a unified, homogenous sound quality and to allow individual instruments to clearly penetrate the sometimes dense texture. This brings to light individual motives, gestures, and melodies, allowing listeners to better understand Schumann’s intentions. Audite’s SACD sound quality is pleasingly rich and resonant while maintaining clarity and articulation of individual parts.