Rachmaninov: Trio in G minor, Élgiaque; Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50

On this CD:

1. Trio élégiaque, for piano & strings in G minor, TN ii/34
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Barbican Piano Trio

2. Piano Trio ("In Memory of a Great Artist"), in A minor, Op. 50
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Barbican Piano Trio

Tracks:

Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: II. Adagio di molto
Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. A. Tema con variazioni
The Love For Three Oranges: March
Italian Serenade
Carnival Of Venice (Variations On A Famous Theme): V. Rhumba
Moto Perpetuo
Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
Souvenir De Florence, Op. 70: II. Adagio cantabile e con moto
Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 99: IV. Burlesque

Customer Reviews:

Profile of passion.......2000-02-20

I have not yet been in the right place at the right time to see this film but I have followed Nadja's career since she won the Naumberg competition. This is a beautiful and lovingly compiled profile of her life in music, as selected from her recording history to date (not included is the astonishing recent album of gypsy music with the Assad Brothers). I knew that the creators of this soundtrack had a spiritual affinity with their subject when I saw the Souvenir de Florence second movement selection, the Sibelius second movement, the Shostakovich Burlesque and the Rachmaninov vocalise - pieces that capture the Nadja that has always captured me. Indeed, for us long-time fans, and for anyone, this is a wonderful souvenir album of one of the most soul-possessing fiddlers of our time.

Nadja - breakthrough artist.......1999-12-30

The picture on this album cover is horrible... gotta say this up front.

Now, if I could only give a one sentence appraisal of both this CD and the documentary, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg is the one person, the one superior artist who is also a "real" person (well, who let us see that), who could possibly reach out and grab the non-classical music enthusiast and make them thirst for classical music, because they will want more of her music.

And, if there were no other reason, I love the album, but then it and the film it stems from are so rich on so many other facets. The music itself is perfect beyond reproach.

For those of us who were never completely classically inclined, like myself, we are presented with a whole person here. Nadja is not stiff and unreachable, but rather, someone who is so very much an "average joe" who loves her family and treasures her friends, perhaps with an extremely heightened awareness that we would all kill for but might kill us if we ever got there without a likewise outlet as she has with her music, but also with a "who you lookin' at" New York accent.

I'd like to see Paola Di Florio's documentary of Nadja, "Speaking in Strings" as required viewing, world-wide. I think then that classical music would have a whole new audience. Not a doubt in my mind.

Until I saw "Speaking in Strings", I thought all classical soloists were people with sticks up their behinds who talked down their noses at everyone else. Shows you what I know.

Her music reduces me to tears, in a way I never thought possible (there's an old phrase that goes -- "This guy not only knows nothing, he don't even suspect nothing").. and that was really honestly me and classical music.

I can't even watch TV now without hearing the violin in the music of shows or commercials and then instantly switching to the stereo to this or another of her albums to hear Nadja, to hear the really good stuff. I want to feel it now, and no longer being fed junk or be a passive observer.

Just my opinion, but we've shortchanged ourselves in what "feeds" us. I never knew it was missing, until I saw this documentary, which led me to buy the album, which now, happily takes me from smiles to tears throughout. So that now I am listening to it all. A whole new world has been opened up to me.

So, I give this album as many stars as there are in the heavens. I've gotten a great gift, and if I go any farther, I'll ruin it with words.

Thank you Paola and Nadja for taking the time, the caring, and to Nadja especially for letting us so deeply into her life to make sure we "got it."

Nadja, I "got it", and I now totally believe that line in the film where you say that great moments we all have are fleeting and they are only good if you "share it." You sure have shared it. Thanks.

Bravo Nadja!.......1999-10-23

Saw the film...now have the album...love both. She's an inspiration to all of us who live in the fast lane...both emotionally and professionally... Allegro Vivace Con Mucho Brio!

PS: Per the previous reviewers comment, in the days of Mozart/Beethoven, etc., it was quite customary to perform sections of long-form works independently when playing concerts...which just confirms by example that there's nothing "wrong" or low-brow about doing it now, either in concert or on a recording.

Bits and pieces winningly played.......1999-10-07

The EMI release of (72435 56908-2) is subtitled "A Musical Companion to the Film." So I assume the music herein is not from the film but a sampling that represents, as the soloist is quoted as saying, "the variety and growth of my musical life so far." The writer is Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and the film is to be about her life as an artist. But none of that need concern us here. As a rule I object to movements being played out of the context of the work from which they come--e.g., the Adagio movement of the Sibelius Violin Concerto--but in this case the opening selection, Saint-Saens "The Swan," was so winningly played that I found myself liking this program very much indeed. Other composers represented here are listed above in this website. The artist is given more than adequate assistance from several pianists, chamber players, and the London Symphony Orchestra, making me suspect the selections are drawn from earlier recordings. Nevertheless, for those who like violin music in general and do not care if you hear an entire composition or just part of one, or for those who simply admire this artist, I can recommend this CD.

Average customer rating:

Most neglected Dichterliebe by Fischer-Dieskau

Concert of the Century

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000027CX
Release Date: 1991-04-19

Tracks:

Leonore Overture No.3
Trio for Piano, Violin & Cello in A minor, Op.50: I. Pezzo elegiaco
Sonata for Cello & Piano in G minor, Op.19: III. Andante

Tracks:

A Poet's Love, Op. 48: In the lovely month of May...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: From my tears spring up...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: The rose, the lily, the dove, the son...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: When I look into your eyes...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: I will dip my soul....
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: The Rhine, the holy river...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: I bear no grudge...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: And if the flowers knew, the little ones...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: There is playing of flutes and fiddles...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: When I hear the song...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: A boy loves a girl...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: In the bright summer morning...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: I cried my dream...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: Every night in my dreams I see you...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: Out of the old fairy tales...
A Poet's Love, Op. 48: The old evil songs...
Concerto for 2 Violins & Orchestra in D minor, BWV 1043: I. Vivace
Concerto for 2 Violins & Orchestra in D minor, BWV 1043: II. Largo ma non tanto
Concerto for 2 Violins & Orchestra in D minor, BWV 1043: III. Allegro
Pater Noster
'Hallelujah' Chorus from Messiah

Customer Reviews:

Most neglected Dichterliebe by Fischer-Dieskau.......2001-04-06

All lovers of Lieder seem to have a certain passion and veneration for Fischer-Dieskau's interpretation of Schumann's Dichterliebe. It is appearant that this singer's understanding of the music, his vocal capacity, his beautiful phrasing, clear diction, and his general (outstanding) musicianship enable him to communicate these Lieder in a way nobody else has done before (save maybe Hotter) or since.

In this live-recording he is supported by no other than Vladimir Horowitz! And the inspiration between these two artists works wonders. Horowitz' playing in crucial moments of the cycle fx "Ich Grolle Nicht" adds a spiritual dimension to the interpretation that you do not get from Moore, Brendel or Demus. We are dealing with the best interpretation of this cycle ever conveyed to disc.

Tracks:

Salut d'amour/Liebesgrub Op.12
Liebesfreud
Liebesleid
Schon Rosmarin
It's Peaceful Here, Op. 21 No.7
Vocalise, Op.34 No.14
Melodie, Op.42 No.3
Valse sentimentale, Op.51, No.6
Valse scherzo, Op.34
Meditation (from Thais)
La capricieuse, Op. 17
Lotus Land, Op.47, No.1
Alt-Wien
Valse Sentimentale
Romantic Pieces, Op.75
Romantic Pieces, Op.75
Romantic Pieces, Op.75
Romantic Pieces, Op.75
2 Hungarian Dances (Nos.9 & 6)
2 Hungarian Dances (Nos.9 & 6)
Hymne zur Verherrlichung des groben Joachim

Tchaikovsky: Great Piano Trios (Piano Trio in Am Op50; Rachmaninov: Trio élégiaque No1)

Average customer rating:

One of the greatest trios ever written.
Not great, not bad
Beautiful and Moving

Tchaikovsky: Great Piano Trios (Piano Trio in Am Op50; Rachmaninov: Trio élégiaque No1)
Suren Bagratuni , Sergey Rachmaninov , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Moscow Conservatory Trio , Paul Ostrovsky , and Dmitri Berlinsky
Manufacturer: Cmh Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000010TV
Release Date: 1997-06-17

Tracks:

Trio In A Minor, Op.50: I. Pezzo elegiaco: Moderato assai; Allegro guisto
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - Theme: Andante mon moto
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - Variation I.
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - Var.II: Piu Mosso
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - Var. III: Allegro moderato
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - Var. IV: L'istesso tempo
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - Var. V: L'istesso tempo
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - Var. VI: Tempo di Valse
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - VII: Allegro moderato
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - VIII: Fuga: Allegro moderato
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - Var. IX: Andante flebile, ma non tanto
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - Var. X: Tempo di Mazurka
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. A. Tema con Variazioni - Var. XI: Moderato
Trio In A Minor, Op.50: II. B. Variazione Finale a Coda: Allegro risoluto e con fuoco
Trio No. 1 In G Minor: Lento Lugubre

Customer Reviews:

One of the greatest trios ever written........2002-09-25

The Tchaikovsky Trio is a masterpiece -- one of the most beautiful pieces of chamber music ever written. I would put it on a par with Beethoven's Archduke Trio -- although the two works are quite different. Tchaikovsky wrote this work in memory of his mentor and friend Nicholas Rubinstein and -- perhaps for this highly-emotional reason -- he pored all of his considerable genius into it. If you are not familiar with this beautiful work please give it a try. You may find that you love it as much as I do. Although the Rachmaninov Trio is not on the same exalted plane as that by Tchaikovsky (but then very few trios are) it is a quite pleasant filler. The performances by the Moscow Trio are quite good. They obviously know these Russian works quite well, and I suspect from their playing that they love the Tchaikovsky Trio and recognize it for the unique masterpiece which it is.

Not great, not bad.......2001-08-01

Middle-of-the-road, enjoyable renditions of the Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff that unfortunately are also possibly a bit too anonymous. Pleasant as background and warmly recorded, this disc is nice while it's on and then forgotten as soon as it's removed. Still, the way they build the variations in the second movement of the Tchaikovsky is fun. Argerich/Kremer/Miasky are more impassioned, but more than that, they bring more *personality* to the work, and I'd recommend that overall more. (It also has the electricity of being live, but the sonics are excellent and the audience is silent.) As for the work itself, it requires stamina. It's long, and loquacious, as Bruno Walter might say. Sometimes Tchaikovsky, especially in his earlier-to-middle works, let form get away from him. We're nearly approaching Mahler-lengths here, and this is a chamber work. Still, it can be enchanting, if the mood is right and the seat cushions are soft.

Beautiful and Moving.......2000-07-02

the moscow conservatory trio is stunning. the music is played with such emotion that it fills you. i don't know much about music, but i love this cd and i listen to it all the time.