Mozart: Piano Trios, Vol. 1 [Original recording reissued]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Mozartean Players (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Mozartean Players
• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Audio CD (March 12, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Harmonia Mundi / Hmf Classical Exp.
• ASIN: B00005UOND
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #243,480 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Radiant Music, May 28, 2006

By 

Classicalfan "Classicalfan" (Reston, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart: Piano Trios, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

The quality of the recorded sound is so perfectly clear on this CD, like finely etched crystal, while at the same time it is so robust and resonant, that it is difficult to believe that this is an analog recording (as stated by the Amazon reviewer) or that the piano played by Steve Lubin on this marvelous CD is a replica of a 1785 Walter fortepiano, a smaller and much more fragile instrument than today's modern concert grand pianos.

In fact, given that this recording was made in May 1990, well into the digital era, I wonder if the Amazon reviewer may be mistaken in stating that this was an analog recording. As for Steve Lubin's heavenly playing, this period instrument fortepiano conveys a sound of precision and refinement in these Mozart compositions that might not be as readily attainable if these compositions were performed on a modern Steinway Grand Concert piano. What is also conveyed by all three musicians is the sheer effervescent joy of this music, filled with bouyant enthusiasm.

Not only the piano, but the cello and violin are also superbly played by the musicians, who are perfectly in synch with each other, performing every note in seamless unity. Although Mozart's piano trios have been considered as being among his lighter works, this evaluation should perhaps be revised and take into account that five of Mozart's six complete piano trios were composed in the last ten years of his life, during the period of his full musical maturity, after he had left Salzburg for Vienna. As Steve Lubin writes in the informative CD-insert essay "three of the Vienna trios, in fact, are masterworks."

I would add that even the less fully developed "Divertimento in B-flat major," which begins this CD, composed when Mozart was 20 years old, is very much worth listening to. This CD and its companion Vol. 2 are pristine examples of exquisitely performed chamber music. I would have gladly paid twice the price for these radiant musical gems.

"Their performances are delightful. Steven Lubin's fortepiano delivers cool, glittering streams of tone set perfectly against the lithe, crystalline quality of Stanley Ritchie's violin and Myron Lutzke's lean, resinous cello. ...the music itself really does gleam with freshness and vitality..." -- Classic CD

"These musicians play with dedication, affection, and impeccable taste." -- American Record Guide

Time = 76:45. Very highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal, April 12, 2006

By 

Leslie Richford (Selsingen, Lower Saxony) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart: Piano Trios, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791): Piano Trios Vol. 1 (Divertimento K. 254; Trio K. 496; Trio K. 502). Performed by The Mozartean Players (Steven Lubin, fortepiano; Stanley Ritchie, classical violin; Myron Lutzke, classical cello).
Recorded in May, 1990, at the State University of New York at Purchase
Harmonia Mundi. Re-released in 2002 as HCX 3957033.

At the Classical Express price, this CD is something of a gift to mankind! Mozart’s six piano trios (three of them on this disc and the other three on Vol. 2) are not among his most popular works, and I heard them here for the first time – but certainly not for the last! This beautiful, sometimes ornate, sometimes almost folksy music is here performed and presented in a form that, as far as I can judge, is practically ideal. The three musicians seem to blend in with each other so well on their historical instruments, and their playing is so sovereign, that I find it well-nigh impossible to imagine a better recording of these works. In addition, the recorded audio sound is impeccable, making for an eye- and ear-opening listening experience. In particular, a word of praise for Steven Lubin’s fortepiano. Other fortepiano recordings have often left me sceptical with their wooden, slightly off-tune sound and their mechanical noises, but there is none of this with Lubin, just a delicacy and subtlety that leaves one wondering why the fortepiano needed to be improved upon at all.

5.0 out of 5 stars HOW SWEET IT IS ! (Mozart Piano Trio Chamber Music), December 11, 2009

By 

DAVID HALL (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mozart: Piano Trios, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

Hope you'll pardon me for lifting a line from the Great One: Jackie Gleason, and using it as the title of this review. But it fits. Because this c.d. MOZART PIANO TRIOS Vol. 1, performed by The Mozartean Players (Steven Lubin (fortepiano), Stanley Ritchie (classical violin),and Myron Lutzke (classical cello) is, yes, you guessed it - HOW SWEET IT IS. This trio has a gorgeous sound, subtle and rich, and they interact beautifully with one another at every moment, on every selection. I purscased it on-line from Amazon at an excellent bargain price. The album has a soothing and quiet, yet enriching to the spirit quality. Its Mozart, some of his piano trio music. What could be better? Highly recommended.