Beethoven - Piano Trios, Vol. 2: Op. 44;70:1,2;97; Hess 48; WoO 38 [Original recording remastered]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Itzhak Perlman (Performer), Vladimir Ashkenazy (Performer), Lynn Harrell (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Itzhak Perlman, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Lynn Harrell
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (June 1, 2004)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0000CE7FJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,883 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #64 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Keyboard
  • #69 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Classical (c.1770-1830) > General
  • #72 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Classical (c.1770-1830) > General AAS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Beethoven Chamber Works, July 11, 2007

By 

Ross Kennett "Ross Kennett" (Narooma, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven - Piano Trios, Vol. 2: Op. 44;70:1,2;97; Hess 48; WoO 38 (Audio CD)

These CDs are discs 3 & 4 of the complete piano trios of Beethoven. They were recorded from 1979 to 1984, and remastered and re-issued on EMI classics in 2004; I am surprised that this is the first review posted on Amazon.
The major works on these CDs are the later trios, opus 70 no 1, "Ghost", opus 70 no 2, and opus 97,"Archduke", dedicated to Beethoven's friend, pupil and benefactor the Archduke Rudfolf. This, opus 97, is probably the best trio sonata, but some of Schubert's come close. These later trios are more interesting as the cello is a full member of the group, no longer restricted to tagging along with the left hand of the pianist.
The players are Vladimir Ashkenazy on piano, Itzhak Perlman on violin and Lynn Harrell on cello. The first two are big names from the 1980s, and Harrell is a first class player, if much less well known. So you would expect a first class performance, and that's what you get. Ashkenazy leads but never dominates, the performace is light and airy, precise, often delicate, and joyful. It's the best "Archduke" I have heard, and that is the one you will come back to time
When you consider the budget price it has to get 5 stars.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Beethoven Piano Trios!, March 2, 2008

By 

Nam S. Kim "Chopinzee" (San Gabriel, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven - Piano Trios, Vol. 2: Op. 44;70:1,2;97; Hess 48; WoO 38 (Audio CD)

Unfortunately there are only a handful of the Beethoven Complete Piano Trios on disc. Of those, these are by far the finest. I've purchased the set by Baremboim-Zukerman-DuPre several years ago, but found their performances to be a bit dry,conservative and uninvolved in the music.
The Beaux Art Trio's renditions are classics, but inconsistent. The Askenazy-Perlman-Harrell set are not only virtuostic performances by three of the greatest classical artists of their generation, but there is an incredible chemistry between each of them which the key to ensemble playing. Recorded in the 80s, the recording sound is warm and genuine, but dynamic as well. Highly recommeded!!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great performance, wonderful recording, great price., March 2, 2009

By 

T. Porges (Washington DC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beethoven - Piano Trios, Vol. 2: Op. 44;70:1,2;97; Hess 48; WoO 38 (Audio CD)

The really terrific surprise in this collection (the second volume of two) is (for me at least) Harrell, who is wonderful. For the most part these are, like most late-eighteenth century chamber pieces (I am roughly quoting Andrew Huth's notes) written around the piano part, and Ashkenazy is bright, informative, thoughtful and sociable here. This is the volume of the two which includes the great late trios, op.97 (the "Archduke) and op.70 (the "Ghost"), so this is probably the set you're looking for, but by all means get both this and volume number one, as repeated listening will only build your appreciation for this group and this performance. You will love this, and it's cheap.