Schubert: The Piano Trios at MusicalHeritage.com

Review

Recorded by America's Beaux Arts Trio in 1985, this two-disc set of Schubert's works for piano trio will please all but the hardest of hardcore Schubert fans. The Beaux Arts Trio was at the second peak of its career when it made its second recordings of Schubert's trios, and its trademark opulent sound is always and everywhere evident. Separately, violinist Isidore Cohen, cellist Bernard Greenhouse, and pianist Menahem Pressler are each superb players with strong techniques and stronger personalities, but together they become more than the sum of their parts. Even a casual listening to any random movement here will demonstrate their gorgeous blend, effortless balances, and intuitive ensemble. For listeners who don't already know Schubert's piano trios, this set is a fine place to start since it contains not only his two large-scale, four-movement works,but also the ravishing late "Notturno" and the charming early sonata for the same ensemble. For hardcore Schubert fans, the Beaux Arts' emphasis on sensuous beauty over soulful expressivity may be a drawback, but for listeners simply looking to enjoy the music, these sumptuous performances should more than fill the bill. Unlike most labels' early digital sound, Philips' early digital sound, is rich, warm, deep, and full. ~ James Leonard, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

The Beaux Arts Trio, with more than 50 years of making music, is the archetype for performance of piano trio literature. Its extensive discography on Philips Records encompasses the entire piano trio literature and its members have toured the world. This renowned ensemble's extensive engagements have brought it the highest praise and ovations from all of the world's major music centers. The Beaux Arts Trio's mark in American culture is far-reaching and celebrated.

The chamber music of Franz Schubert includes many works for piano trio and here the Beaux Arts Trio offers the two piano trios, op. 99/D.898 & op. 100/D.929 as well as the Notturno, D.897 and the Trio in B-flat, D.28 on two CDs. The two piano trios are full-scale undertakings brimming with memorable moments and notable tunes. This is music the Beaux Arts knows well and performs with three lifetimes' worth of skill, precision and experience. Written when Schubert was in the final years of his life, they are filled with brio and life. The playing is profound, well crafted and textually angular and animated.

Trios No. 1 and No. 2 contrast each other — with the former not only composed for the wedding day of Schubert's close friend, Josef von Spaun, but of the two, it was the one Schubert himself preferred. It has dreamlike qualities that many people attribute as Schubert and was written in 1827, around the same time as his song cycle Winterreise. With its freshness and luminous quality it scarcely hints at Schubert's personal agonies and tensions; he would be dead within a year.

Trio No. 2 overall seems to reflect energy and impulsiveness of Beethoven, whom Schubert worshiped, right from the opening unison idea. The middle movement includes the famous andante con moto cantilena with its doleful melody supported by a consistent march rhythm. It is based on the Swedish folk song "Se Solen Sjunker" ("The Sun is Setting"). The scherzo is a witty canon between strings and piano while the finale recalls earlier moods, including a quote from the Swedish song, and ends in a triumphant jubilation, almost a victory over all depressive temperaments.

This Beaux Arts package is exceptional and offers excellent performances of these seminal works. Here is profoundly insightful music making.

—Terrence London

Quotes

"Since its founding 50 years ago, the Beaux Arts Trio has become the gold standard for trios throughout the world." —The Washington Post

Tracklisting

Schubert: The Piano Trios
	1.	Piano Trio in B flat major, D. 898 (Op. 99) by Schubert, Franz Ensemble: Beaux Arts Trio Length: 11:50
	2.	Piano Trio in B flat major, D. 898 (Op. 99) by Schubert, Franz Ensemble: Beaux Arts Trio Length: 8:52
	3.	Piano Trio in B flat major, D. 898 (Op. 99) by Schubert, Franz Ensemble: Beaux Arts Trio Length: 6:46
	4.	Piano Trio in B flat major, D. 898 (Op. 99) by Schubert, Franz Ensemble: Beaux Arts Trio Length: 9:22
	5.	Piano Trio in E flat major ("Nocturne") (Adagio only), D. 897 (Op. posth. 148) by Schubert, Franz Ensemble: Beaux Arts Trio Length: 10:26
Disc #2
	6.	Piano Trio No. 2 in E flat major, D. 929 (Op. 100) by Schubert, Franz Ensemble: Beaux Arts Trio Length: 12:47
	7.	Piano Trio No. 2 in E flat major, D. 929 (Op. 100) by Schubert, Franz Ensemble: Beaux Arts Trio Length: 9:44
	8.	Piano Trio No. 2 in E flat major, D. 929 (Op. 100) by Schubert, Franz Ensemble: Beaux Arts Trio Length: 6:46
	9.	Piano Trio No. 2 in E flat major, D. 929 (Op. 100) by Schubert, Franz Ensemble: Beaux Arts Trio Length: 14:27
	10.	Piano Trio in B flat major ("Sonatensatz"), D. 28 by Schubert, Franz Ensemble: Beaux Arts Trio Length: 7:41