These recordings from
the Warner Classics Apex label were
previously issued in a different compilation
on the Teldec label in 1986. In this
collection we have two of the three
early Piano Trios - Opus 1, no. 1 in
E flat Major and Opus 1, no. 3 in C
minor. This is then followed by the
Piano Trio No. 4 in B flat major, Opus
11. As Raymond McGill tells us in his
excellent and informative sleeve notes,
Beethoven's three early piano trios
were published as his Opus number one
and appeared in 1795 when the composer
was only 25 years old. The Piano Trio
no. 4, Opus 11, was composed a few years
later in 1798. The Opus 1 trios – and
in particular Opus 1. No. 3 - represent
an advance over Beethoven's seniors
such as Haydn and Mozart, although Beethoven
had in fact been a pupil of Haydn during
the time of composition! In these early
trios we witness an advance in the role
of the ’cello, which until this time
had mainly been used as a continuo rather
than as a solo instrument in its own
right.
The Haydn Trio of Vienna
was founded in 1965 and has played together
in well over a thousand concerts, so
it is not surprising that the playing
and ensemble is of the highest standard.
They clearly know these works inside
out and are able to bring a degree of
intensity and understanding which does
not come across so well in some of the
other recordings. I was particularly
impressed by the beautiful Adagio in
the Opus 11, a trio which was originally
written for clarinet rather than the
violin. It is also good to hear the
finale marked "prestissimo"
in Piano Trio No. 3 taken here at exactly
the right speed, as some other recordings
take this movement at a more leisurely
pace, thus losing the impact of the
sudden change in tempo. In fact, all
the movements have a sense of being
taken at a perfectly correct pace, with
neither the fast movements being rushed,
nor any unnecessary dawdling or lingering
in the slow movements. The playing is
dapper, spick and span, accomplished
and masterful, and the works are imbued
with a sense of air and lightness. The
tuning and intonation is excellent,
and the sound good. The Haydn Trio also
bring out the contrasts in the pieces
most effectively, playing off the staccato
against the legato in the different
instruments admirably.
What is the competition?
There is an proficient new recording
by the Gryphon Trio of Canada on Analekta.
They only include Piano Trios opus 1,
Nos. 1 and 3, but they observe all the
repeats, unlike here with the Haydn
Trio and some other recordings of these
works. The Grieg Trio on a new CD from
Simax play the Opus 1, No. 3 trio and
this has received excellent reviews
elsewhere. The recent issue of volume
3 of the Florestan trio’s commendable
series of complete recordings of the
Piano Trios includes Opus 1 Nos. 1 and
2. For the more adventurous (and wealthy!)
these trios are also available as part
of larger compilations including major
international soloists. Pinchas Zukerman
(violin), Jacqueline Du Pré (cello)
and Daniel Barenboim (piano) recorded
all three Opus 1 Trios in January 1970
at Abbey Road Studios, London. At less
than £30 for 9 CDs, this is a real bargain,
and contains Beethoven's duos as well
as the piano trios, along with a superlative
performance of the Tchaikovsky Piano
Trio. A later disc with the same performers,
issued in 1989, comprises the complete
Beethoven piano trios, as well as Ten
Variations On Mueller's Song 'Ich bin
der Scneider Kakadu' and the Fourteen
Variations in E flat. Szeryng, Fournier
and Kempff also perform the trios as
part of the Complete Beethoven Edition
on DG, a 5-disc set for £38.99. Interestingly,
Warner Classics Apex include another
reissue CD in their series which also
has the Piano Trio No. 4, this time
partnered with the Piano Trio opus 1,
no. 2.
With so many outstanding
recordings to choose from, one really
is spoilt for choice. However, at bargain
price, the version by the Haydn-trio,
Wien will certainly not disappoint and
is an excellent all-round recording,
so comes highly recommended!
Em Marshall
Haydn-Trio, Wien: Heinz Medjimorec (piano),
Michael Schnitzler (violin), Walter Shulz (cello)
