Piano Trios 2 [Import, Original recording reissued]

Mozart (Artist), Mozartean Players (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording reissued
• Label: Hmf Classical Exp.
• ASIN: B00006I498
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,833 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

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

This review is from: Piano Trios 2 (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 for Vol. 1) or that the piano played by Steve Lubin on this marvelous CD is a replica of a 1785 Walter fortepiano.

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 the heavenly sound of Steve Lubin's playing, this period instrument fortepiano conveys a sense of precision and refinement in Mozart's 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. The informative CD-insert essay written by Steve Lubin states that "three of the Vienna trios, in fact, are masterworks."

This CD and its companion Vol. 1 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 = 59:33. Very highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Spirit of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, June 22, 2008

By 

Alan Lekan (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Piano Trios 2 (Audio CD)

Now here's a fabulous little gem CD for both the classical collector or listeners just learning about classical music. Mozart's compositions for the piano trio brim with delicacy, vibrancy and that effervescent, Mozartian keyboard style that lilts along without a care in the world.

During the era of Mozart in places like Vienna, compositions for piano trio were very popular for home music-making with the new fortepiano instrument that was steadily replacing the harpichord of Bach and the Baroque era. In these compositions, Mozart wrote the keyboard part for the short-decay, drier sound of the simple fortepiano of his time (which lacked a sustaining pedal that would arrive later in his life) as compared to the modern grand.

As such this music sounds great on such a period instrument as used by Steven Lubin and seems to embody the essence of Wolfgang Amadeus himself - at least more than a grand. Where in the piano concertos a humble fortepiano can get buried in volume by the orchestra compared to a Steinway grand (eg: Malcon Bilson & The English Baroque Solists's recording on DG), the period fortepiano's refined, 'pingy' sound here is all charm and in ideal balance.

Lebin is one of the great period players and brings a fabulous sound and spirit to this upbeat music. Additionally, cellist Lutzke and violinist Ritchie match Lubin's galante expressions and classical flair with just the right shadings and highlights. Their intonation is excellent as well. What's there not to like with such uplifting music played so well? A winner CD at a nice bargin price. Compositions - 5 stars; Performance - 5 stars; Sound quality - 4.5 stars.