Customer Reviews

Shostakovich/Tchaikovsky: Piano Trios

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I had been waiting for this CD for months and now I got it. Well, it's really fantastic how these three musicians play together with perfect inter-play, it's a very involving experience. And these trios are some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard, played with a precious "russian" spirit. The only bad thing to say is that recording quality is not so good, although it's one of the last Deutsche Grammophon production. Anyway, buy it!!!!

Wait until you hear these recordings, you will not believe your ears. These three extraordinary artists fully understand one another and this music, otherwise how could they play it with such ferociousness yet dignity and pathos. Two masterpieces wholly realized by three of the worlds greatest musicians. To think the concert tour from which this live recording was taken almost didn't happen. Luckily for us, it did. BUY IT!

These live performances are from Japan. They are wholly individual, representing a synergistic combination from some of the most compelling personalities in classical music. They are alternatively fierce, despairing, exultant. It's important not to think that these works are just played for all they're worth, with every ounce of sentimentality rung out of them. That's not so. The Shostakovich is an ideal example of this. Its score is often spare to the point of gauntness, and AKM render this perfectly. But the terrifying finale is delivered with a desperate, hopeless passion, driven by loss and outrage. The Tchaikovsky is also superb. I cannot think of any performance of any work by this composer -- even Mravinsky's Pathetique -- which approaches the emotional intensity of this performance. The execution is not perfect, but details seem to assume minor importance in the face of this recreation. The return of the theme in the finale is cataclysmic in its impact. The encore is also wonderful -- a mix of whimsy and passion.

This recording, taken from two live performances in Japan, is unusual, but breathtaking. And contrary to what one reviewer on the review page said, this is not the first time the 3 have played together. It was the year before this present recording was made, in '97 in Verbier, that they played for the first time.
The Shostakovich is a very graphic interpretation, vividly portraying the anger and the pain behind the music. The three performers are very strong personalities and naturally there will be doubt as to how successful their collaboration will be in chamber music. While still maintaining their individual temperaments, the performance as a whole is a keenly united one. The interplay, the communication between the three players is impressive. Some have commented at the lack of techinical accuracy. Maybe that is so, but I sometimes think that some of these 'inaccuracies' are deliberate, to strengthen the music's drama. The Tchaikovsky is also another great Russian piano trio. It was written after the death of a beloved colleague, Nikolai Rubinstein. Incidentally, both trios on this disc were written after both composers lost dear friends. For Shostakovich, it was written in memory of Ivan Sollertinsky. And this disc is dedicated to the memory of Argerich and kremer's manager. So it is quite a deadly affair, this disc!
The Tchaikovsky is a long work - 40 minutes at least. Here it is
nearly 48 minutes! But the playing here is so impassioned and keenly felt that the impression is that it isn't that long at all. A very lyrical, yet powerfully articulated performance like this is rare. All the players are on top form for the Tchaikovsky, and from Argerich there is the strongest support you could imagine for a piano trio. The encore is a very witty 'medley' of Tchaikovsky's works (ranging from the Pathetique symphony, violin concerto, quotes from Eugene Onegin, to the Rococo Variations). Very humorous.
The sound is very vivid, and the booklet contains informative notes by David Brown, and entertaining observations by Argerich's second daughter, Annie, who describes what happened before the performances took place.

It is a simply stunning performance, based on the talent of three unique musicians. Argerich is somehow the leading power of the trio, while the rest are no less worth praise for their great musicianship. Communication between the musicians adds to the superiority of this recording. Last, but not least: it is a live recording, and any sensitive person can feel that. It may not be the most immaculate perfomance ever recorded, but it has such an atmosphere that cannot be easily achieved in any studio.

Listening to this CD is a truly enjoyable AND intellectually rewarding experience. The Shostakovich trio is new to me. But what a great piece! The joint effort of Argerich, Kremer and Maisky has totally changed my (negative) view towards the Tchaikovsky trio and the composer himself. The classical music industry needs a lot more recordings like this!

These are profound, riveting performances of Shostakovich's and Tchiakovsky's piano trios. Admittedly, Argerich leads the trio with her fiery keyboard playing, but Kremer is no less memorable for his lyrical phrasing on the violin. Maisky is just as fine on the cello, though he is often overshadowed by his friends. Both pieces are dark, somber works which are well suited to Argerich's tempestuous personality. Although the sound quality isn't as fine as a contemporary studio recording, it does come quite close. I tip my hat in admiration to Deutsche Grammophon for producing a splendid recording which celebrates a long-lasting friendship amongst three of our most exciting classical musicians.

Note: This review is based on my familiarity with the Tchaikovsky only.

I bought this disc based solely on the reviews it received. I must say I am flabbergasted as to why it received such glowing reviews when there are countless superior performances available. I honestly cannot think of a worse recording. The recorded sound is quite atrocious even taking into account that it is a live performance - it is enough to cause distraction. (Contrast, for instance, Argerich's live recording of the Rachmaninov Third, which has a few audio problems that never distracts from the music).

The performance itself starts off in a promising manner, but very quickly loses focus. The desire to put on a fiery performance seems to be so important as to be an excuse for muddied passages and incoherence. I am not implying that the entire performance is one jumbled mess, but the mucked up parts occur frequently enough to cause severe discomfort.

A couple of the other reviewers point out outstanding alternatives to this recording. I would only add that pianist Bronfman also made two separate recordings, of which I would recommend the first.

About the music and the artists? Wonderful! I looked for this disc since many years. About the CD? Exactly like new... Maybe really is new!

I admire and respect all three musicians on this recording, but this is probably their worst performance ever. It was the first time Argerich, Kremer and Maisky played together, and it shows in every note. Shostakovich's Trio No 2, which happens to be one of my very favorite pieces of music, is not only technically demanding, but requires all three musiscians to carefully follow the structure of the whole piece. Argerich/Kremer/Maisky fall apart right in the beginning and never come together again. Second movement is especially awful, both technically and structurally. Technical mistakes are to a certain degree expected and can be forgiven in a live recording, but only if it has other redeeming qualities. This one has none. Tchaikovsky's trio is played slightly better, but not by much. If I rate Shostakovich as "awful", this one can be rated "bad". In general, this recording will easily make my Top 10 Worst Recordings Ever. The only fact which is more appalling than the release of this recording is it's nomination for Grammy award. I had little respect for Grammies to begin with, but that nomination was just ridiculous.

If you want to hear how Shostakovich's Trio should be played, listen to the incomparable Oistrakh/Sadlo/Shostakovich recording made in 1948. The mono sound is bad, but the playing will bring you to tears. If you absolutely must have better sound, then stick to Kagan/Gutman/Richter or Stern/Ma/Ax versions. For Tchaikovsky, my favorite is again a historic recording by Gilels/Kogan/Rostropovich. For a good modern recording, try Perlman/Harrell/Ashkenazy