Beethoven: Piano Trios Op. 1 Nos. 2 & 3

On this CD:

1. Piano Trio in G major, Op. 1/2
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Vienna Piano Trio

2. Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1/3
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Vienna Piano Trio

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Prime competition comes from star-studded groups like Sony's Isaac Stern-led Trio and another with Barenboim and Du Pré on EMI, but this young Viennese threesome hold their own with well-recorded, classically framed interpretations that prove fully competitive. As the opus number indicates, these are products of the young Beethoven, so don't expect the profundities of the late works. But even here, Beethoven was pushing conventional limits with works bolder and more technically demanding than those written for domestic performances by amateurs. The Vienna Piano Trio walks the fine line between straight-laced classicism and anachronistic emotionalism. In their hands, the works are full of beautifully sung melodies, lightning interplay among the instruments, and lyric poetry in the expressive slow movements. Their earlier recording of early Beethoven trios was as successful; the group has the style down pat, and you can't go wrong with this one. --Dan Davis

Tracks:

The Four Seasons: Concerto No. 1 In E Major 'Spring,' I. Allegro
Overture No. 3 BWV 1068: Air
Water Music: Alla Hornpipe
Orpheus and Eurrdice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits
Piano Sonata In A Major K. 331: Alla turca
Symphonie No. 3: Allegretto
String Serenade: Waltz
Foreign Countries And People op. 15 No. 1
Flute Concerto No. 1 In G Major, K. 313: Rondo. Tempo di Minuett
Piano Concerto No. 2 In F Minor Op. 21: Larghetto
Quintet In A Major 'Trout': Theme & Variations
Waltz In A Flat Major
Impromptu In G Flat Major D 899,3
Sinfonia concertante In E Flat Major K 364: Presto

Tracks:

Voices Of Spring Waltz Op. 410
Serenade Op. 3 No. 5
Songs Without Words In E Major Op. 19,1
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major K. 447: Allegro
Fausts Verdammnis: Dances Of The Sylphes
Flute Concerto In G minor
Salomon: Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
Piano Concerto No. 23 In A Major K 488: Andante
Holberg Suite Op. 40: Prelude
Carmen: Intermezzo
String Serenade op. 22: Tempo di valse
Impromptu In B Flat Major D 935 No. 3
I Love You Op. 5 No. 3
Roses From The South, Waltz Op. 388

Tracks:

Peer Gynt: Morning
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarole
Melody In F, Op. 3 Nr. 1
The Nutcracker: Waltz Of The Flowers
Standchen
Etude In G Sharp Minor 'La Campanella'
Peer Gynt: Anitras Dance
Moment Musical D 780 No. 3
Canon In D
Overture No. 2: Menuet & Badinerie
Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major: Andante
Carmen: Seguedille
'Songs without Words': The Venetian Gondola
Eugen Onegin: Waltz
Romance For Violin And Orchestra In G major Op. 26

Tracks:

Die Fledermaus: Overture
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Waltz No. 1 Op. 18 In E flat major 'Grande Valse brillante'
Lullaby
L'Arlesienne: Intermezzo
The Seasons Op. 37b: Barcarole
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Fairies' March
Clarinet Concerto In A Major K 622: Adagio
The Sleeping Beauty: Waltz
La Traviata: Prelude
Carmen, Suite No. 2: Chanson du Toreador
Happy Farmer
Menuet
On The Beautiful Blue Danube, Waltz Op. 314

Tracks:

A Little Night Music K 525: Allegro
Sonata No. 2 In E Major BWV 1031: Siciliano
Op. 11 No. 5: Menuet
Songs Without Words: Duetto
The Nutcracker: Dance of the Toy Flutes
Fruhlingslied (Spring Song)
Waldszenen: Abschied
Mandolin Concerto: Allegro
Music For The Royal Fireworks: La paix: Largo alla Siciliana
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Allegro
Waltz In B Minor Op. 69 No. 2
Romance Op. 5
Impromptu In A Flat Major D 935 Nr. 2
Tales from the Vienna Woods, Waltz Op. 325

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Humoresque Op. 101
Sleeping Beautiful: Panorama
Impromptu In E Flat Major, D899 No. 2
Melancholy
Waltz Op. 54,1
Nocturne In B Major Op. 9 No. 3
Caro mio ben
PARTITA IN D FLAT MAJOR: Pastorale
An den Fruhling
The Sleeping Beauty: Pas de quatre, Adagio
Rosamunde - Ballet In G Major
Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor Op. 37: Largo
Emperor Waltz, op. 437

Tracks:

Harp Concerto In B Flat Major: Andante allegro
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Adagio
Flute Concerto In F Major, Op. 10 'La Tempesta di Mare': Presto
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor Op. 13 'Pathetique': Adagio cantabile
Horn Concerto In E Flat Major K 495: Rondo. Allegro vivace
Poeme Op. 41 No. 6
Wilhelm Tell: Soldier's Dance
Liebestraum No. 3 In A flat Major
Violin Romance No. 2
Flute Concerto In E Minor: Rondo
Intermezzo In E Flat Major Op. 117,1
Carmen: Habenera
Symphony No. 3 'Scottish': Vivace non troppo
Vienna Bonbons: Waltz Op. 307

Tracks:

Symphony No. 40 In G Minor K. 550: Molto Allegro
Preghiera - Mozarianna Suite: Ave Verum
Arietta Op. 12,1
Concerto BWV 1056: Arioso
The Four Seasons: Concerto Nr. 3 Autumn: Allegro
Des Abends (Evening)
Holberg Suite Op. 40: Gavotte
Melancholy Galliard
Flute Concerto No. 2 In D Major K. 314: Rondo. Allegretto
Spinning Song
Orchestral Suite No. 3: Valse Melancolique
Flute Quartet K. 285a: Tempo di Minuetto
Moment Musical In A Flat Major, D 780 No. 2
Piano Concerto No. 9 In E Flat Major K 271 'Jeunehomme': Rondo - Presto

Tracks:

String Serenade: Moderato
Traumerei Op. 15
Ave Maria
Cello Concerto No. 2 In D Major: Allegro
Minuet In D Minor
Suite No. 1: Marche Miniature
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Notturno
Mazurka In D Major Op. 33 No. 2
Divertimento K 251: Andantino
On Wings Of A Song
Carmen: Nocturne
Melody
Sonata In C Major BWV 1033: Allegro
Symphony No. 1 In G Minor 'Winter Dreams': Adagio cantabile
Sound Of The Spheres, Waltz Op. 235

Tracks:

The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture
Sonata In C sharp Minor Op. 27,2 'Moonlight Sonata': Adagio sostenuto
German Dance No. 1
Nocturne In C Sharp Minor Op.posth.
Haffner Serenade: Minuet
Septet In E Flat Major Op. 20: Tempo di Minuetto
Symphony No. 4 Italian: Andante con moto
Prelude In D Flat Major Op. 28, No. 15 'Rain Drops'
'3 Small Pieces': Impromptu
'The Nutcracker': March
Romance In E Flat Major Op. 44
Piano Sonata No. 16 In C Major 'Sonata facile': Allegro
'The Nutcracker': Scene No. 10
Enjoy Your Life Waltz, Op. 340

Beethoven: Piano Trios Nos. 2 & 5 "Ghost Trio" [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Piano Trios Nos. 2 & 5 "Ghost Trio" [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Pentatone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Schubert: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2 [Hybrid SACD]
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ASIN: B0009IE72A
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Piano Trios Op. 1 Nos. 2 & 3

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000542IE
Release Date: 2001-01-09

Tracks:

Pno Trio in G, Op.1, No.2: I. Adagio - Allegro Vivace
Pno Trio in G, Op.1, No.2: II. Largo Con Espressione
Pno Trio in G, Op.1, No.2: III. Scherzo: Allegro
Pno Trio in G, Op.1, No.2: IV. Finale: Presto
Pno Trio in c, Op.1, No.3: I. Allegro Con Brio
Pno Trio in c, Op.1, No.3 II. Andante Cantabile, Con Vars
Pno Trio in c, Op.1, No.3: III. Menuetto: Quasi Allegro
Pno Trio in c, Op.1, No.3: IV. Finale: Prestissimo

Amazon.com

Prime competition comes from star-studded groups like Sony's Isaac Stern-led Trio and another with Barenboim and Du Pré on EMI, but this young Viennese threesome hold their own with well-recorded, classically framed interpretations that prove fully competitive. As the opus number indicates, these are products of the young Beethoven, so don't expect the profundities of the late works. But even here, Beethoven was pushing conventional limits with works bolder and more technically demanding than those written for domestic performances by amateurs. The Vienna Piano Trio walks the fine line between straight-laced classicism and anachronistic emotionalism. In their hands, the works are full of beautifully sung melodies, lightning interplay among the instruments, and lyric poetry in the expressive slow movements. Their earlier recording of early Beethoven trios was as successful; the group has the style down pat, and you can't go wrong with this one. --Dan Davis

Beethoven: Piano Trios Nos. 5 "Ghost" and 6

Average customer rating:

3.5 stars for youthful Beethoven with verve and propulsion
Excellent Beethoven Trio Performances

Beethoven: Piano Trios Nos. 5 "Ghost" and 6

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: Piano Trios, Vol. 4
Beethoven: Piano Trios, Vol. 1

ASIN: B000AMMSN0
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Allegro Vivace E Con Brio
Largo Assai Ed Espressivo
Presto
Poco Sostenuto-Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Allegretto
Allegretto Ma Non Troppo
Finale: Allegro
Thema
Variation I
Variation II
Variation III
Variation IV
Variation V
Variation VI
Variation VII
Variation VIII
Variation IX
Variation X
Variation XI
Variation XII
Variation XIII
Variation XIV

Customer Reviews:

3.5 stars for youthful Beethoven with verve and propulsion.......2007-03-02

The oddly named Xyrion Trio, formed 2001, is comprised of players that have recorded on the Naxos label previously -- cellist Maria Kliegel and painist Nina Tichman have recorded Beethoven's cello sonatas on the label. Violinist Ida Bieler was formerly concertmaster of the Gurzenich Orchestra-Cologne.

The trio adopt a youthful, vivacious approach to the Op. 70 trios from Beethoven's middle period. Their style is zippy and accented in a get with it format that eschews reflection, repose and subtlety. If you like middle Beethoven performed this way you will like this CD, which is exceptionally well recorded resulting in very truthful sound and extremely wide dynamic range.

However, if you are like me -- and like your Beethoven more mature with some subtlety -- you may be let down a bit by these performances. While the trio does a generally fine job in Op. 70 No. 1, called the "Ghost" trio for the tremelos in its largo, I found the players a bit detached going into that movement, especially the thin and quiet entry of the violin and cello in the movement.

What more disturbed me was the lack of subtlety and style in the Op. 70 No. 2 trio, one of Beethoven's most subtle works of chamber music. At the end of the first subject in the opening movement, before the repeat, the trio makes no attempt to change the pace or inflection of their attack. They simply keep on going at the same pace, ramming right through the composer's carefully enunciated transition as if it were just another bar line. Their soft-grained attack in the central figure of Allegretto also displayed unwily Beethoven style.

For me, the playing in this performance, however good it may be, is simply too rapid too often with too much razzle dazzle replacing sound musical judgment. It's not a bad performance and is miles ahead of the other Op. 70 recording on the Naxos label, the grizzly and loud performance by Stuttgart Trio. I would rank it similarly with the last recording I reviewed of these works, that by the Peabody Trio on Artek. The lilting Theme and Variations Op. 44 provides a makeweight that marginally improves the value of this issue.

For me, this recording is distant from the greatest recorded performances I have heard of these works. That list begins with the Suk Trio's performance on Supraphon released about 1983. Here is playing of stature and understanding on an exalted plane. Another great performance is the Casals-Istomin-Schneider collaboration, formerly on an inexpensive Sony CD. Unfortunately, both are out of print and unavailable. A couple Amazon sellers offer a used copy of the Suk Trio performance for $80 or more.

This leaves the Szeryng-Kempff-Fournier recording the best available I know. It is currently available in the trio's set of all Beethoven's trios. You can buy out of print renditions for varying amounts from collectors through Amazon. England's Florestan Trio recorded this repertoire in the past couple years to great reviews overseas. I haven't heard that recording and have found the Florestans to be lovely replicators but sometimes too precious in their work. In any event, their full price CD costs thrice the price of the Naxos CD here, which is a satisfactory introduction to anyone coming to this wonderful music for the first time.

Excellent Beethoven Trio Performances .......2005-10-05

It's a darn shame that most concert performances of Beethoven piano trios are primarily of the named ones - 'Archduke' and 'Ghost' - because the other trios are certainly worth hearing from time to time. Here, in what appears to be the beginning of a new series of Beethoven piano trio recordings on the Naxos label -- there's already been an earlier series by the Stuttgart Trio perhaps ten years or so ago -- is a disc that features the 'Ghost' and its Opus 70 mate, the E flat major trio. And for lagniappe we get the rarely heard Variations in E Flat Major, Op. 44. Two of the players are well-known to me from their earlier traversal of the Beethoven Cello Sonatas: Maria Kliegel, cello, and Nina Tichman, piano. I raved about those recordings here at Amazon. Tichman and Kliegel are joined here by violinist Ida Bieler, and they call themselves the Xyrion Trio. Tichman and Bieler are Americans, graduates of the Juilliard School, and long resident in Germany. Bieler is the former concertmaster of the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne. Kliegel is a native of Germany but studied with, among others, Janos Starker at the University of Indiana in America.

There are many recordings of the 'Geistertrio' and many of them are wonderful. But if you don't have one of those recordings you could certainly do worse than acquire this budget release. It is not budget music-making, let me assure you. These are mature, musicianly, subtle instrumentalists. I don't know how long the Xyrion Trio have been playing together, but they sound completely in synch with each other.

But I'd like to focus on the E Flat Trio, Op. 70, No. 2. This is a sensational performance. One of my favorite middle-period movements by Beethoven is the gentle, slightly diffident second movement, the allegretto. It is played here with the right mixture of shyness and impulsiveness to give it its full due. That mixture of moods comes partly because it is a double set of variations, alternating themes and major/minor modes. Delicious. It is followed by a dancing third movement, also marked Allegretto (ma non troppo). It is a little unusual in that the violinist is given some double stops in the B section. The declamatory finale, Allegro, contains some virtuosic piano writing that Tichman handles with ease. I love this trio, and this is one of the best performances of it I've ever heard.

The 'Variations in E Flat, Op. 44' are, in spite of their opus number, from 1792 or thereabouts, early in Beethoven's career. He didn't publish them until 1804, hence the later opus number. They are definitely early Beethoven, though, sounding more like the Opus 1 piano trios than anything that came later. This is not great music, in my estimation, but it is played with fervor and panache by the Xyrion Trio.

So, for a good 'Ghost' trio and a wonderful Op. 70, No. 2 Trio in E Flat, this is a marvelous buy. I certainly hope the Xyrions will be recording the rest of the Beethoven piano trios.

Scott Morrison

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