Marvellous programming
here. The Czech Trio plays three native
works with the utmost dedication in
a spacious, supporting recording.
The
Dvořák is a magnificent piece,
and the Czech Trio serve it splendidly.
There is a nice sense of Romantic sweep
to the first movement. The piano sound
is well-rounded, the violin sweet of
tone. Most importantly the rhythmic
impulse is there, so vital to
successful Dvořák performance.
It prevents interpretative ‘spreading’
or sprawling. Miroslav Patráš’s cello
sings well, although it is caught just
a little edgily. If the whole could
be more ecstatic at times, the scherzo-like
Allegretto grazioso works so
well because there is a slight weight
underpinning it that is entirely appropriate
to the music. Long violin lines give
off the requisite sense of yearning.
But the highlight of this reading is
the Poco adagio, a gorgeous unfolding,
unhurried yet not indulgent. A shame,
then, that the ‘con brio’ marking of
the Finale is not really adhered to.
The more reflective passages work well,
but could benefit from further highlighting
by even more immersion into Dvořák’s
more spirited side elsewhere in the
movement.
The Suk was inspired
by Julius Zeyer’s epic poem ‘Vyšehrad’.
This is a short, gentle piece that acts
well as a separator between the two
larger works, yet is in itself marvellously
crafted. It rises to a small climax,
nothing to ruffle its restful mood.
In
terms of harmonic vocabulary, it is
the Martinů that offers the greatest
spice of the disc. Committed and impassioned
playing from all three instrumentalists
ensures an excellent case is made for
Martinů’s sometimes oblique mode
of expression. Try the somewhat mechanistic
passages around 5’40, for example.
The
Andante’s lines are almost but not quite
meandering, a fine line that Martinů
treads with consummate mastery. The
finale is lovely, almost jubilant
with an aching contrasting section.
A
lovely disc at bargain price. For comparative
purposes, the Florestan Trio’s disc
of Dvořák’s third and fourth Trios
on Chandos (CHAN66895) exhibits all
of that group’s well-known musicality.
For an excellent conspectus of Suk’s
chamber music, try the Supraphon three-disc
set 11 1874-2.
Colin Clarke
The
complete Arcodiva catalogue
Czech Trio (Milan Langer, piano; Dana Vlachová,
violin; Miroslav Petráš, cello). 
for
details
