Composer: Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann
Performer: Swiss Piano Trio
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Audite
Catalogue: AUDITE92549
Release: 2013
Size: 328 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Schumann C: Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17
01. I. Allegro moderato
02. II. Scherzo: Tempo di menuetto
03. III. Andante
04. IV. Allegretto
Schumann R: Fantasiestücke in A minor for Piano Trio, Op. 88
05. No. 1. Romanze
06. No. 2. Humoreske
07. No. 3. Duett
08. No. 4. Finale
Schumann R: Piano Trio No. 3 in G minor, Op. 110
09. I. Bewegt, doch nicht zu rasch
10. II. Ziemlich langsam
11. III. Rasch
12. IV. Kraftig, mit Humor
Following the highly acclaimed SACD of Robert Schumann’s first two Piano Trios, Opp. 63 and 80, Audite now release a new disc with the Swiss Piano Trio, comprising Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, the third Piano Trio, alongside Clara Schumann’s only Piano Trio Op. 17, which has been unjustly overshadowed by her husband’s works.
Juxtaposing these works reveals the differences, but principally the similarities, of the musical idioms of Mr and Mrs Schumann. Clara’s trio, composed in 1846, is an outstanding romantic work able to hold its own in the company of her husband’s or Mendelssohn’s trios. Whilst her work achieved public success but fell victim to the composer’s harsh self-criticism, the reverse was true of Schumann’s final trio, written in Düsseldorf in 1851. The unjustified verdict that this work no longer possessed the originality and mental power of Schumann’s earlier works but already revealed the composer’s looming illness, was responsible for this masterpiece of chamber music literature remaining unrecognised for a long period of time.
The Swiss Piano Trio released its album of Robert Schumann’s Piano Trios No. 1 and No. 2 in 2011, so this follow-up in 2013 presents the Piano Trio No. 3 with Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Op. 88, and, perhaps of most interest, the seriously neglected Piano Trio in G minor by his wife, Clara Schumann. Because this piece is seldom heard, it’s placed up front so it can’t be missed, and listeners will find that it’s complementary to the remaining works. Clara Schumann was the most famous female pianist of her time, though her compositions weren’t given their due until late in the 20th century. Increased coverage has made them available to listeners, and her Piano Trio stands among her most finely crafted pieces. Despite its Classical form and clarity of themes and development, it is a moody Romantic piece in the vein explored by her husband, and its brooding melancholia is in keeping with mid-19th German chamber music. The compositions by her husband are in much the same autumnal, introspective style, and the program is balanced overall, with both piano trios being of almost identical length. The ensemble has a smooth and controlled approach to this music, and the richness of the strings is pleasantly blended with the rounded tone of the piano. What this disc lacks in brilliance it compensates with warmth, and the vibrant sonorities of the super audio surround sound format give the musicians a credible salon-like presence.