Customer Reviews

Pasion

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

 

 

The Eroica Trio's new CD Pasion has photos of the beautiful women performers in color coordinated outfits, leather pants or gorgeous gowns, cleavage, and credits in the CD booklet for hair and makeup--it sounds all too familiar in this day and age when marketing sex appeal has become a major influence in the world of Classical music. And I have to admit that I am a bit skeptical about the trio's name, given that they are not known for playing Beethoven--he of the Eroica Symphony and the Eroica Variations. There is only one letter's difference between the words Eroica and Erotica; and the cynic in me wonders if some subliminal message isn't being sent us. But no, even though the performers are visually delightful and the CD is called Pasion, these musicians are supremely talented, with very distinguished musical pedigrees. Here we have an example of marketing in the service of a very fine product indeed, and there is no sense that the salesmanship gets in the way of the musicianship.

The trio's technique is superb--their ensemble playing is wonderful, with an extremely accurate sense of rhythm, and a verve that is simply thrilling to hear. The members of the trio, Erika Nickrenz, piano, Adela Pena, violin, and Sara Sant'Ambrogio, cello, met at the Juilliard School of Music and have been playing together now for fifteen years, and this maturity as a group is evident in their performance.

The CD works very well as a unified program of latin music. In addition to works by Villa-Lobos and Brazilian composer Penaforte (whose very engaging composition "An Eroica Trio" was written specifically for the group), we are treated to Joaquin Turina's First Trio, and four short movements by Astor Piazzolla. Piazzolla, an Argentinian composer whose music has become increasingly popular, may be known to classical music lovers from Gidon Kremer's CD The 8 Seasons, in which Kremer alternated Vivaldi's Four Seasons with arrangements of Piazzolla's 4 Seasons of Buenos Aires. The Eroica Trio brings us two of the four seasons, Spring and Autumn, in arrangements for piano trio made by Piazzolla's cellist, Jose Bragato. Although their tempi are a bit slower and their interpretation somewhat less aggressive than either Piazzolla or Kremer's, the Eroica present a convincing rendition of the works, one which is more sensuous and subtle. Turina's trio, on the other hand, is by turns forceful, tender, despairing, and dazzling, and the finale takes off like a wildfire. It is a pity that Turina's music is not more well-known; he certainly deserves it. All of the pieces on this disc are well worth a listen--I highly recommend it.

My wife got this CD for me for Xmas. I listened to it a couple of times, not with my full attention, and thought it was OK. Then I got to hear them in concert. Wow! After that I took the time to listen and really pay attention. And loved it. The title gets it right - I've never heard such passionate playing before.

Bottom line - if you're looking for some background music, this CD is just OK. But if you have the time to sit and listen, it's great!

This is a well-executed trio album, but I was hoping for more fire & passion. These are smooth & skilled interpretations, but not fiery or anguished as Piazzola ought to be. If you're looking for really impassioned Piazzola, try Gidon Kremer's "Hommage á Piazzola."

Maybe in part it was the production values. The piano and cello ought to have more presence, more bite in this kind of music. Many cuts struck me as rather violin-focused.

I liked the Villa-Lobos best. Perhaps because it's been over-recorded, over-exposed (on radio) and over-arranged, it's a pleasure to hear this relatively spare, clean cut.

I am an Astor Piazzolla fanatic. I not only enjoy listening to Piazzolla play his own compositions, I also like to hear how others interpret his music. Sometimes its done skillfully, other times its very sloppy. Piazzolla is one of those composers who should be thoroughly studied before any attempt at interpretation is made. And those who know nothing of Piazzolla should never arrogate to themselves any right to an opinion on whether or not a particular interpretation has any merit.
Eroica Trio has been much hyped as a tonic to enliven the staid world of classical music ever since they began recording. That's fine, I like to see talented musicians stretching the boundaries of the classical world to include the works of both famous and oft-neglected Hispanic composers of serious music. That the three young women who comprise the trio are technically proficient, there is no doubt, but on Pasion they simply lack the passion that makes Piazzolla's music so mesmerizing. Only at the end of Otono Porteno can the listener feel the beginnings of a musical bonfire in the play of Erika Nickrenz.
The remainder of the works by other composers on the CD are enjoyable but simply too somnolent to live up to the promise the CD title implies. Being much less familiar with the other works, I feel unqualified to comment on the quality of their interpretations.
If you are a Piazzolla fan who has come looking for some great Piazzolla, forget about finding it here. But if you are a fan of classical music who is looking for something slightly out of the ordinary in order to expand your musical horizons, this may be the CD for you.

THE EROICA TRIO'S 4TH WORK (PAISON)IS THEIR BEST SINCE THEIR SELF TITLED DEBUT ALBUM. THIS WORK IS PASSIONATE, ENERGETIC, FUN, AND INVIGORATING. THE LADIES SHOW THEIR UNIQUIE STYLE AND LIVE UP TO MY EXPECTATIONS FULLY. THEY HAVE PROOVEN THAT THEY HAVE THE STUFF, ALL I WANT IS MORE!

I don't know much about classical music but I enjoyed this album. I downloaded it through Amazon's MP3 service. I had to install software to do so. It was still easily imported in iTunes.

The Eroica trio's album "Pasion" is exciting and delivers what it says: a passionate rendering of a variety of South American Composer's chamber pieces. While sometimes a little over the top, it is never dull and does not trivialize the Composer's work. It should be mandatory listening for any aspiring piano trio on how to inject exitement and panache into the chamber repertoire.

This trio was featured on Good Morning America on Thanksgiving. They were wonderful. Their sound and energy was pleasing to listen to and my husband, who is not a fan of classical music, stopped to listen to the energizing sounds from this women trio.

I had the privilege of experiencing the Eroica Trio at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning tonight. They were wonderful, lively, with an accuracy that causes the listener to feel every note played.
The small crowd was captivated by their young spirits, great music, and great emotion.
I can't wait to see them again in NYC

For those Piazzolla fans (a.k.a. those who delight in Piazzolla's band recordings), the lack of authentic tango sound, percussion, and rhythmic drive will keep you from listening for more than 2-3 seconds. Unfortunately, the Eroica Trio seems to think beautiful sound and smooth textures are suited to the style. Unfortunately, they are wrong.