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Track Listings
| 1. Piano Trio No.1 In D Minor, Op.49 |
| 2. Piano Trio No.2 In C Minor, Op.66 |
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why why why is this guy not more respected?,
This review is from: Mendelssohn- Piano Trios Nos 1 & 2 (Audio CD)
I've always thought that if you put Mozart and Beethoven together you'd get Mendelssohn, and these two piano trios bear me out (I think) - they combine the melodic genius and lightness of Mozart with the passion that characterises Beethoven. Put quite simply, I think the D minor is the best piano trio I have ever come across, with the C minor not far behind.The D minor trio, and in particular its first movement, is filled with sensuous melodies, the cello generally being favoured to take them. Backed up with a formidable piano part (and I know from experience, it is truly formidable!) the piece combines outbursts of fiery passion with some of the most beautiful moments of any chamber work I know. And some of the harmonies in here are just heartbreaking - I really think Mendelssohn's gift for ingenious harmony and orchestration, even within just three players, is second to none. The two works are executed flawlessly here, the piano thankfully not dominating as in some trios, and although the playing is virtuosic it is never over the top. The Gould trio effectively convey the easy fluency of Mendelssohn's style, while also really laying into the more empassioned sections, giving it the depth which some misguided critics say is lacking in his music. Like I said, Mozart and Beethoven combined. Altogether, listening to these pieces, and in particular on this recording, makes you wonder why Mendelssohn is not ranked higher in popular conceptions of composers. These trios easily rank alongside any piano chamber works before them, and most after too. Seriously stunning, a worthy addition to the CD collection!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mendelssohn Piano Trios no.s 1 & 2,
By
This review is from: Mendelssohn- Piano Trios Nos 1 & 2 (Audio CD)
This recording of the piano trios was magnificent. The sound quality was so clear and bright and brought out the full resonance of Mendelssohn's work. Flawless string work, incisive and clean, was accompanied by an outstanding pianistic performance. Top marks for all three players. I can recommend this to anyone.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews) 12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely Mendelssohn Piano Trios,
By Robin Friedman - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Mendelssohn- Piano Trios Nos 1 & 2 (Audio CD)
All too often, the music of Felix Mendelssohn (1809-- 1847) is treated dismissively as a sort of overly polished and bland specimen of Victorian romanticism. This CD of Mendelssohn's two piano trios should go a long way towards correcting this view. Mendelssohn's two piano trios are both in the minor key. They both are full of passion, lyricism, and intimacy. The works were written to be performed by capable amateur musicians in the intimacy of the home, a type of "hausmusik" that, alas, is not common today. But the trios are delightful to hear for the multitude of music lovers that, in our day, do not play or have the opportunity to play. The music is fully accessible and will appeal to those coming for the first time to chamber music as well as to experienced listeners.
The trios are performed by the Gould Piano Trio, an ensemble consisting of three young English musicians: Lucy Gould, Violin, Martin Storey, cello, and Benjamin Firth, piano. The performance is exquisite, with great expression and musicianship both in ensemble and in solo passages. The disk has received substantial critical acclaim. Mendelssohn's first piano trio in D minor opus 49 dates from 1837 while the second piano trio in C minor opus 66 dates from 1845. Each work is in four movements. Both trios have extended and brilliant piano parts (I am a pianist at heart.) while the first trio spotlights the cello considerably more that does the second. There are many similarities between the two trios, but each has a voice of its own. The first movement of the D minor features two melancholy and lyrical themes, each of which is stated initially by the cello. The opening movement of the C minor trio opens with a dark arpeggio passage for the piano and continues with a pleading, passionate theme first stated in the violin. The opening movements of both works include large minor-key climaxes, big chordal passages for the piano, and passionate endings. Each trio has a lovely, lyrical slow movement which begins with a lengthy piano solo -- that of the C minor trio is rather the more introspective. In both trios, the cello and violin complement the piano and give the slow movements warm flowing characters contrasting to the outbursts in the opening movements. Both trios include a light, quickly-paced scherzo of a type unique to Mendelssohn. The D minor begins with quick, repeated passages for the ensemble which develop into a brief, energetic middle section and which return in a quiet, light and energetic close. The scherzo of its companion features an endlessly spinning figuration in the piano accompanied by themes in the violin and cello. The movement includes long running light passagework for the piano and a soft pizzicato close in the strings. The finales of both trios are rondos which open in the minor key, progress through a series of episodes with clangorous piano chordal writing and shimmering arpeggios and contrasting dramatic or lyrical passages for the cello and violin. Both finales work themselves at length into the major key and end on a tone of triumph. This recording of Mendelsshon's piano trios is full of the intimacy and joy in music-making that characterize chamber music at its best. Robin Friedman 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mendelssohn Piano Trios,
By Bill Atkinson - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Mendelssohn- Piano Trios Nos 1 & 2 (Audio CD)
To most individuals, Mendelssohn is a pleasant Nineteenth Century composer comparable to the painter Dante Gabriel Rosseti or the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. They have heard the Wedding March, the Hebrides overture, and perhaps snippets from Elijah. In my estimation, he was also a major composer of chamber music second only to Beethoven and then Schubert.
The first trio is well balanced with a darkly driving first movement. This is succeeded by a second movement which seems to be a cross between a lullaby and a hymn. The third movement is pert and the last is suggestive of an Eastern European dance. The initial movement of the second trio has an intensity similar to its counterpart in the first trio. The second movement is undistinguished but the third has a marked similarity to one of the passages in the Midsummer Nights music. The last movement displays a broadly expansive melody. The Gould Piano Trio (Lucy, not Glenn)gives a well balanced performance and the recording has the technical excellence usually attained by Naxos. If you like these recordings, try the series issued by Naxos particularly the sixth quartet which has the poignance and emotional intensity of the first Smetana quartet. (Incidently I do not recommend the Naxos recording of the Smetana.) 10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous music and performances,
By Gontroppo "Music and Theology Lover" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Mendelssohn- Piano Trios Nos 1 & 2 (Audio CD)
Firstly, as a pianist, I'd like to register a protest vote: this piano trio is named after the violinist!
But the recording is a wonderful bargain. The whole recording is terrific, but the first trio is particularly outstanding. I recommend this recording for seasoned lovers of trios, but also as a great way in for anyone who has not experienced piano trios before. I doubt if there is a more delightful composition or performance than the first Mendelssohn Piano Trio. Highly recommended |
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