Customer Reviews

Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio; Rachmaninov: Trio élégiaque No. 1

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Here's an overlooked gem in sparkling sound. I was so captivated by the DG recording of the Tchaikovsky Piano Trio in A minor with Argerich, Kremer, and Maisky that I decided to try out several other versions for the sake of variety. The composer wrote such lavish music stretched out over such a heroic time span that most readings deliberately go for broke. I listened to the extroverted, swoony reading led by Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg (EMI), an opulent but somewhat puffed-up account led by Yefim Bronfman (Sony), a dated, underplayed oldie from the Beaux Arts Trio (Philips), and several lsss starry ones.

But I didn't feel the same rush as I had from the DG recording until I hit upon Fredy Kempf leading his own trio in this joyous, buoyant performance that remains in high spirits from beginning to end. Not a touch of grandiosity mars the music-making, and although Kempf has world-class technique, he doesn't act as overlord. The engineers have pulled a little sleight of hand by giving each instrument its own close-up microphone, thus enabling the violin and cello to compete sonically with Kempf's piano. It's an unrealistic perspective, but the playing is so exceptional that I loved every minute.

In all, this comes closest to equalling the Argerich CD, if not in wild abandon then in brio and vitality.