Customer Reviews

Debut

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I haven't been exposed to any of the radio and TV hype about the Eroica Trio. Neither have I heard any of their concerts yet. The only hype I've _seen_ is looking through some of the fan web sites today, and reading reviews here at Amazon. I have not heard their two subsequent discs yet, either. So, I'm reviewing only on the basis of what I hear and see on this debut CD.

I bought this disc mainly to hear their rendition of the Ravel Trio, and because the Schoenfield piece looked like fun. The Ravel is, unfortunately, a major disappointment here. I have four other CD's of this wonderful piece, and by comparison all four hold the composition together better than the Eroica Trio does. The Eroica do not give much flowing forward motion to the music, nor do they make the structure clear; instead, they bog down in sweet sounds that quickly become uninteresting (not going anywhere). The mind wanders. The piece seems interminably long and incoherent. The fast portions are OK but nothing special, and the slow sections just get soggy.

Some of this shows up in the movement timings, too. Rubinstein/Heifetz/Piatigorsky: 8'30",4'05",6'25",5'16". Previn/Rosenfeld/Hoffman: 9'40",4'04",7'18",5'30". Trio Fontenay: 9'31",4'27",6'37",5'37". Rouvier/Kantorow/Muller (the "Un coeur en hiver" soundtrack): 9'04",3'59",7'34",5'12". The Eroica Trio: 10'10",4'08",9'31",5'12". That is, the Eroica take the first and third movements down to a deadly crawl, dissipating most of the tension in the music. And then the slow motion drags even slower....

I have nothing against slow tempos in general, as long as they have enough focus, intensity, interest, and direction. Not here. This disc illustrates very well the principle that the most difficult music to play well is slow music. Non-musicians tend not to think of that, perhaps being wowed by "virtuosity" and flash, but experienced musicians know it to be true. And here's an excellent exhibit in support of it. I fail to understand how this CD got a Grammy nomination for best chamber music performance. Perhaps these performers give a good show live, and perhaps the visual elements of their performances help the cause, but the evidence is not on this recording.

This CD is probably worth having anyway for the Schoenfield "Cafe Music" and the bizarre arrangements of Gershwin's three preludes. Those are not available elsewhere, and are entertaining enough. The Godard "Berceuse" is as unengaging as the slow parts of the Ravel trio are: again the Eroica players seem content merely with making pretty sounds, while the music doesn't go much of anywhere. BOR-ing. The Schoenfield is clever, and especially interesting in the fast parts, but (once again) the slow music is not well served by the performance.

Obviously, some of the appeal of this trio is the way these women look in their designer "styling" (credited in the CD booklet!). Indeed, they probably could be models if they were not musicians; their physical appearance is right in line with the cultural standard notions of beauty. This CD includes three glamourous full-color photographs. The eye-candy appeal might be another incentive to buy this disc. It really depends if you're seeking great musical performances, or stereotypical good looks. When the CD is in the player, it does not matter how the performers look....

After listening to this disc and forming my opinions above, I looked up the _American Record Guide_ review of this disc: March/April 1998, p240. I'm pleased to see that the reviewer there didn't like this disc any more than I did. (It's not just me being cranky.) Same reasons: the deadly lack of interest in the slow parts. But that reviewer didn't like the Gershwin or Schoenfield either. I'm a bit more charitable than that.

To sum up: all the notes are in place, as neatly placed and as surface-pretty as the mascara and dresses and smiles. The recorded sound is excellent, as is usual from producer Joanna Nickrenz (the Eroica pianist's mother). But the musical performances ultimately aren't engaging enough. This is a CD to pull off the shelf occasionally for the novelty of the Schoenfield, the Gershwin, and the glamourous trio photos. That hardly justifies a full-price purchase.

Love this CD. The Gershwin arranged for string trio is outstanding.
This is one of the rare recordings of "Cafe Music" A truly fun , interesting
and exciting piece.... the slow movement is SO beautiful, it is to die for
and the fast movements are at breakneck speed. These girls really
can play ! !

The Eroica Trio play with a refreshing, clear, and crisp style. They are a very well matched and balanced trio. They are always a pleasure to listen to.
The collection of music on this CD is quite nice. The Cafe Music by Schoenfield is my particular favorite. A rich array of musical colors in three movement of ragtime, jazz and blues, within a classical context. This piece, along with the Ravel and Gershwin are a great pleasure to listen to again and again.

I principally bought this first of the Eroica Trio's CDs (1997) because of the inclusion of Paul Schoenfield's Cafe Music, which is an absolutely wonderful piece of music, in particular the second or Rubato movement. But the Trio sparkles all though the CD, from the opening Gershwin preludes, through the Ravel Piano Trio and Godard's Berceuse, and finally to the little heard Schoenfield piece. Great fun!

If you have never had the pleasure of hearing this ensemble in person, you have missed a special experience. Their CD's are the next best thing. They bring a special energy to their playing which is unmatched by most other chamber groups. We see a lot of these other folks in concert and most look and play like they are at a funeral (perhaps their own!). Music doesn't have to be played that way. There is nothing funereal about the Eroica. Everything is played well and with the gift of life. You will not go wrong buying this and any of their other recordings.

After reading the glowing reviews, I was curious, but still not quite sure. I finally caved in and bought myself a copy...WOW! This recording has all the spontaneity and vigor of a live recording and the programming is fun and interesting. The playing and sense of ensemble? SUPERB! I love this recording so much I ended up buying 3 more copies for friends. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Can't wait for their next CD to come out! or better yet...to catch them in concert!

Should you ever have the chance to see and hear The Eroica Trio live, by all means drop everything and go hear these women. They are first-rate performers and very generous and humorous in concert. I have seen them multiple times and would never tire of their music. This CD in particular in just gorgeous. It combines their virtuosity as well as their expert and sensitive choice in music. The Godard piece is absolutely worth the cost of the CD all by itself. Buy and enjoy............
Deborah Montana

I did not know anything about this trio before hearing their performance of the Gershwin preludes. Solely on a musical basis I found the arrangement of the Preludes to be very stimulating and enjoyable. The composer himself likely would have gotten a boot out of the performances.

After hearing a sample on my local classical radio station and hearing an interview with this talented trio, I had to buy this CD. Their performance of Gershwin in infused with energy, vitality and sensuality.A truly beautiful listening experience! Buy it for your best friend.

Heard them in concert last week in St.Paul. Brilliant!! Great personality, energy, and talent. "Cafe Music" was super, specially the slow movement. Clearly, they love Schoenfield. The encore was the Godard, and it was fantastic, too. Wonderful communication among the three. I bought two copies (so far) -- one Christmas gift for my son down.