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Brahms: Piano Trios 1-3 - Trio Testore

Brahms: Piano Trios 1-3 - Trio Testore

Audite  91.668 (2 discs)

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Chamber


Brahms: Piano Trios Opp. 8 (both 1854 & 1889 versions), 87 & 101

Trio Testore


​Trio Testore, as part of its recording of the complete Brahms Piano Trios, presents both versions of the Trio in B major, Op. 8: the original version and the revised version which was made thirty-five years later and which, to a large extent, amounts to a new composition. Whilst revising his first trio, Brahms also wrote another pair of new, contrasting trios. The musicians emphasise the richness of detail of these works; at the same time, their vivid rendition, with a convincing choice of tempi, reveals the architecture and the "breath" of the compositions. Together, these works provide an exemplary impression of Brahms' development as a composer.

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Review by John Broggio - June 7, 2013

A superficially glorious sound rather let down by fussy phrasing.

Be in no doubt, this playing ravishes the ear for the unanimity of approach that these players find is wonderful. The slow movements in particular gain much from this approach and the Trio Testore manage to find a communion with the spirit of late Beethoven quartets & piano sonatas. In the other faster movements, a characteristic of phrasing that helps keep the musical momentum alive in the slow movements becomes a handicap. That handicap is one of (overly) pointing the smaller phrases at the expense of the longer line(s); in slower music, this serves to keep the listeners attention but breaks the same spell applied at faster tempos.

One only need compare the opening movement of Op. 8 in the hands of, say, Brahms: Piano Trios 1 & 2 - Storioni Trio; the Storioni Trio leave no doubt as to their more involving and leading command of the musical narrative (the same holds true for Op. 87) - the first 30 seconds of each is representative of the remainder. It is a great shame for there are no other accounts on SACD of the early version of Op. 8 yet it is really only the lack of a competing account of this work that one can encourage the purchase of this set.

The sound is good, with the balance between instruments and their position in relation to the listener as well as each other is well-nigh perfect but this only serves to make the interpretative drawbacks more apparent than if the recording were merely adequate.

If one wants all the trios (especially the first in the "original" form), then this can be recommended with with a "health warning".

Copyright © 2013 John Broggio and HRAudio.net

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