Customer Reviews

Mozart: Complete String Trios & Duos

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

To me, the main work in this set is the Trio in E flat, K 563. It is in the form of a (very serious) divertimento: a sequence of varied movements, including a really ingenious set of variations. The inventiveness, seriousness and wit on display put it on a par with Mozart's greatest chamber works. The string quartets are part of a long and famous series of works which draw attention to each other, but the trio is out on its own and for that reason it's been passed over unnoticed. Do yourself a favour and notice it: join the elite group who know it exists and have experienced its magnificence.

With these players it's in the safest of hands. The great Belgian violinist and Mozartian Arthur Grumiaux and his associates are responsible for some great gems of chamber music playing (the Mozart string quintets, Faure piano sonatas...) and this is a rare diamond! Buy two and make yourself and a friend very happy (you're going to want to share this discovery)!

Mozart, in his own capacity, blessed the entire musical world with hundreds of pieces (around 600). Being a composer placed within the formal grounds of the Classical Era, his pieces hold an air of a once embraced society of the proper and the unproper. His music is cherished by the hearts of many (my own included) through his determination and creativity. "It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me--no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I have. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied," were the words of this master. With such a numerous amount of pieces, some have over the years obscured other pieces of equal quality into the background (these string trios and duos are a wonderful example) This CD brings out the best qualities the string instruments have. It is truely remarkable how the clarity and the immense genious is revealed. In fact, alot of these string duos and trios were composed for the purpose of playing with some of his other composer friends (Vanhal, Dittersdorf, and Haydn). Mozart's favorite instrument was the viola and he deeply enjoyed the opportunity to perform with his friends. (You will find that in these pieces the viola is taken at times higher than the norm, undoubtedly to fulfill Mozart's desire for interest and originality) Overall, my fellow Mozart seekers, this is a CD you SHOULD NOT pass by. It will surely enhance your appreciation and knowledge of the Mozart experience.

Here is yet another great Mozart Philips recording featuring the elegant playing of Arthur Grumiaux. The String Quintets and Violin Concertos are other ones. When you hear Grumiaux play Mozart like this, you think, "Now, how can one top that?" Such a dignified, galante and poised style as his is perfect for Mozart's music. These two CD's provide a cournacopia of Mozart delights played magnificantly by Arthur Grumiaux and friends: three string duos, the one and only great string trio (K.563) and a rather unique collection of preludes and fugues mostly transcribed from Bach's "Well Tempered Clavier" for violin and viola. Each work also has an interesting story behind it as does most of Mozart's music.

Two of the late duos Mozart wrote were "ghost written" for a terribly ill Michael Haydn - a comtemporary and great friend of Mozart. As history goes, Haydn had promised a series of six duos for the impatient Archbishop Colloredo and was two short. Mozart's continual visiting the ill Haydn and lightening-fast composing of these two duos reveal the compassionate, warm-hearted side of Mozart. In each you can hear both Haydn and Mozart by the various musical mannerisms, but they eventually passed off as Haydn's works just fine.

The trio is a late work (K563/626) that was written in 1788 - the year that Mozart's popularity with the fickle Vieneese dwindled and life strarted to fall apart. But, one would never know this from the skill and stature of the great work. Having a full six movements lasting a full 45 minutes, the string trio is a work of grand scale and rich diversity that does not once become bogged down, repetitive or dull. The equality of the part writing is especially notable as much as is the complex sonorities, intelligent design and lyrical charm. It ranks right up there with his quintets as Mozart's most accomplished chamber works.

Perhaps the surprize delight of the set are the six preludes and fugues, most of which are transcribed from JS Bach (and one each from JC Bach and Mozart). It is said that Mozart's wife Constanze adored the fugues of Bach and Handel upon first hearing them in 1782 and supposedly begged her husband to compose such music - which apparently he obliged with these works here. Of course they sound like Bach as they mostly are Bach. The Grumiaux Trio makes them sound glorious from their rich and nuanced playing and the fine Philip's sound quality. Overall, a rich, rewarding listening experience.

If you are new to Mozart's chamber music, these Philips DUO sets are excellent CD's to collect. The most recommended Philips Mozart CD's are: The Great Piano Concertos Vol I, II, the Violin Concertos, Great Quintets Vol. I and II, the Piano Trios and String Trios/Duos here. Then, the Great Seranades, the six 'Haydn' String Quartets, the two Piano Quartets and Great Violin Sonatas Vol. I, II are also fine music.

Not much to add here: 1st CD: The string trio K. 563 is a peer to Mozart's greatest quartets and quintets. Period! The string duos K. 423 and 424 are simple in sound, but rich in texture; the simplicity of means calls for advanced composing and Mozart doesn't dissappoint. 2nd CD: The trio K. 266 is less interesting, but the six preludes and fugues are really great, fusions of Mozart and Bach. All the playing is excellent.

Joseph Szigetti gave a towering surprise with the ten violin sonatas , but Grumiaux was a real fighter for this Mozart music so plenty of lyricism.

The vibrato and musicality given for Grumiaux is out of this world. His playing is kindness enjoyable extremely cantabile and above all deeply idomatic , loaded with majesty and charm and intimacy.

This belgium violinist was a pupil of Georges Enesco . Pleas acquire also the trio Kv 563 . I've never a recording that rivalizes with that.

Certainly Grumiaux was a champion master in this field!

If you take a look around about the most remarkable string Trios, you will find out that these are not so many. Before that immense Mozart's Divertimento in E flat Kv. 563, written in 1788, we just find a dozen of Trios by Bocherini and after, Beethoven Piano Trios, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Brahms. Dvorak Dohnayi, Webern, Roussel and Schoenberg. In this sense and taking into account the brief set it's obvious to state we are in presence of the most significant, pyramidal and complete string Trio ever written, not only because it was a true milestone in what concerns to structural complexity, lyrical density and enjoyable mood.

Surprisingly, it does not use to appear among the most extraordinary musical achievements ion the enormous musical legacy of the beloved son of Salzburg. But measure by measure, I wouldn't hesitate just for a second in what respects to include it among the ten best works of Mozart throughout his opulent and extraordinary production.

And particularly this version possesses that touch of genius and dazzling luminosity, filled of kind spirits, cheerful energy and rhythmic vitality.

This masterpiece by itself justifies plainly your inversion in this double CD, but additionally you will find out another treasures of highest level as both Duos for violin and viola, The Kv. 266 The six preludes and fugues for violin, viola and cello written as a profound and heartfelt homage in Bach's memory are astonishing and notable compositions by themselves.

So I think not to sin of exaggerate when I recommend you this extraordinary set, one of my most beloved albums of my personal collection and wishing for you to have. You will agree with me once you have acquired and enjoyed over and over.

It's almost useless to talk about the purity of spirit of Artur Grumiaux, one of the most distinguished, refined and honest violinists ever born as well as one of the maxim exponents of Mozart's repertoire for violin, and I don't think to sound exaggerate to affirm this record was one of his highest artistic peaks as musician.

I was a little surprised to see so many reviews for this CD, most of them are full of praise. As I, too, am full of praise I can be brief.

First I must confess that, after listening to Mozart for well over 40 years, it is only very recently that I came accross any of the works on these CDs. I heard the last movement of the string trio and went straight to the computer to get it. As last year was Mozart's 250th birthday and we were deluged with his music this is incredble.

The string trio K563 is a late work by a mature Mozart, it is a very fine work, beautifully played by Arthur Grumiaux and friends. The two duos for violin and viola is another great find for me, more superb Mozart. These do not have a bass line, the composition is so good that they don't need one, indeed I was well into them before I noticed that there wasn't one. In all of these works all the instruments are equals, there is lots of work for the viola and the cello too has an important role. The six preludes and fugues again were new to me, but I am getting to know them and love them.

This is another excellent recording of Mozart's chamber music from Philips Duo, and well worth full marks. I recommend it highly, especially for Mozart lovers. If you are not well versed in Mozart I might suggest that you start with his concertos and instrumental works before you buy these Cds.

This is the kind of package which represents the best of the Philips Classics Duo series. Slightly older recordings, but in beautiful, clear, warm analogue sound; artists of the old school and the first rank; a compilation of potentially neglected music made available absurdly cheaply in attractive packaging with high production values and intelligent notes; what's not to like?

Grumiaux is everybody's favourite Mozart violinist: poised, sweet of tone; impeccable intonation - and always accompanied by equally sensitive and accomplished musicians who play as an ensemble without any grandstanding.

The major work here is of course the Divertimento K. 563, which is far from being as lightweight as its title suggests; indeed this typical late Mozart in that there is a poignancy in his superficially insouciant melodies which is never far from tears. This is a work still overshadowed by the late quartets and the quintets, but deserves to be considered alongside them. I also find the incomplete Trio K. 266 to be a lovely work, especially as it allows us to hear that gifted artist Kenneth Sillito.

The notes tell an amusing story about the two Duos which is very much to Mozart's credit and says little for the powers of discriminaton of their dedicatee, the archbishop who had commissioned them. The biggest surprise on these discs, however, is the Six Preludes and Fugues, transcribed in homage to Bach mostly from Bach's own music, in that they represent a kind of fusion of Mozart and Bach which is not always entirely convincing but nonetheless allows us to enjoy much lovely, and sometimes incongruous, music. Sometimes Bach and sometimes Mozart pops his head over the parapet, but rarely do both appear simultaneously. The Adagio which opens no. 3, for example, is pure lyrical Mozart and the succeeding Fuga clearly wholly Bachian.

Buy this double CD to explore some of the more recondite byways of Mozart's output; it's a rewarding trip.

I research Amazon reviews carefuly before committing to a purchase; Amazon greatly assist this process by providing recording previews on their site. The reviews and previews indicated this was a recording of substance, elegantly and warmly portrayed by foremost musicians of the period, (The Grumiaux Trio), at a fortunate stage in analogue recording technology. I have purchased several Philips compilations from this period, and have always been rewarded by good performances allied to a good sound...........and such good value as well. I'm trying to fill gaps in my CD collection with sets such as this. Who knows how long the various labels will make these gems available?

The performance is so together, allowing the Mozartian compositional elements to emerge untrammelled .......... and the warm analogue recordinng enriches the string harmonics wonderfully. Don't be afraid to turn up the volume to ensemble-in-your-room level; you will be rewarded by recordings from the sixties which are full of detail, gorgeous harmonics, a broad frequency response free of hiss and distortion, and above all are totally engaging. Congratulations go to Philips for a superb remastering job in this case.

I don't have much to say about these executions: for me they are absolutely wonderful. No hasitation here.

Of course, get the discs... would be shame to listen to these in lossy compression.

I am very pleased with this purchase. I had no problems with ordering or delivery of this CD.