Piano Trios [Limited Edition, Live]

Andre Previn (Artist), Daniel Muller-Schott (Artist), Anne-Sophie Mutter (Artist), Mozart (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 14, 2006)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition, Live
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000CFX7FI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,571 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Mozart's six piano trios are intimate works, but these three in particular balance the instruments so well and give each so much to do that they have a grandeur all their own; they never seem slight. All of these are lateMozart (two were composed after his 31st birthday). Mutter, as one might expect, plays them with warmth and a clear eye toward the 19th century; in other words, these are very romantic readings. This approach works exceptionally well in the rapturous slow movements of the 6th and 5th, the former marked "cantabile" and the latter "grazioso." Mutter and company play them exactly as marked ,and her ardency is beyond criticism. It is here that her partners are at their best as well: Müller-Schott's cello sings beautifully, and Previn's piano playing is a lesson in legato. Throughout, Mutter plays with impeccable technique and pitch; indeed, her ease in all passages is a joy to behold. Contrarily, Previn occasionally sounds rushed in fast passages. Some might prefer their Mozart to be more "classical, " i.e., crisper and with somewhat less sliding, but there's no denying the sheer loveliness--and love of music-making--that one gets from this CD. --Robert Levine

International Record Review

This new disc is enjoyably done: three outstanding musicians making music in an affectionate and elegant way.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Live Performance Recording, March 16, 2007

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 110,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Piano Trios (Audio CD)

Most classical music fans hear a lot more polished studio recordings than they do live concerts and recordings of the same. As a result, it's easy to create exaggerated expectations of a live performance's recording.

Let me start by praising what's excellent about this recording: Balance. It's easy for a piano trio to lose its balance. One performer may stand-out too much, or another may fade into the background too much. With Mozart, all the parts are important and deserve careful attention by performers and listeners. For a live performance, this CD is amazingly well balanced. I would rarely expect to hear a concert with this degree of balance. Bravo!

In addition, each of the performers brings some personal quirks to the performance that add uniqueness. Ms. Mutter, of course, is known for her 19th century interpretations of Mozart . . . but she restrains her enormous power and passion to stay within the composition. Mr. Muller-Schott brings a youthful genuineness to his cello parts that deepen the meanings of the three works. Mr. Previn displays his awareness of different ways of interpreting these trios and gives some unexpected readings that you'll pay attention to.

The main weakness of the recordings is that Mr. Previn's part seems to either be a bit above his skill level or he didn't practice enough. Some of the piano parts seem out of control and you'll hear discordant notes that Mozart didn't intend. As a minor weakness, each performer held back just a little too much in exposing their most evocative music. Perhaps it's our awareness of jazz but when someone has the stage for a few bars and the part is exquisite, it's wonderful to hear that part sing a bit more.

Don't judge the rest of Mutter Mozart, Ms. Mutter's series of three recordings to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, by this recording. The other two sets of recordings, Violin Concertos with Sinfonia Concertante and Violin Sonatas, are wonderful.

My advice is to buy all three parts of Mutter Mozart. Your days will be filled with more joy if you do. I like to write while listening to these recordings and find them to be very good for my heart, mind, and soul.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music at it's best, March 12, 2007

By 

Peter Chordas "music lover" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Piano Trios (Audio CD)

Whether listening intently or just playing it in the background for company or cleaning house, this CD is a "must have." I must admit that I had reservations at first since I am not a big fan of Andre Previn (especially as a conductor). I feel he rushes though most compositions which takes away from the lyrical aspect of the pieces he performs. But Anne Sophie Mutter on the other hand has the ability to take things to a higher level, and in this case she does!

I won't begin to act like a music critic and start describing and analyzing each piece (as so many people in these reviews tend to do). You can read the liner notes for that. The bottom line is, the music is beautiful and engaging. Technically, it is challenging and this trio is able to play it beautifully with what sounds like relative ease. Mrs. Mutter has recorded three Mozart recordings last year and all of them are well worth buying. If you love Mozart and you love Anne Sophie Mutter, then this CD is a must.

7 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful as always..., March 17, 2006

By 

MWA MD (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piano Trios (Audio CD)

Anne-Sophie has the most beautiful tone and touch with the violin, and is the definitive expression of Mozart and Beethhoven violin works. Her 250 year Mozart Birthday cycle is beautiful as ever, and this recording is a must-have for lovers of Mozart, and violin.