Baroque: The Eroica Trio

The Eroica Trio (Artist), Antonio Vivaldi (Artist), Johann Sebastian Bach (Artist), Dietrich Buxtehude (Artist), Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (Artist), Antonio Lotti (Artist), Jean-Baptiste Loeillet (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 23, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00002SWU0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,900 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The most arresting aspect of this disc is the playing. The members of the Eroica Trio are splendid technically and tonally, and their ensemble is impeccable. Musically, the recording is misnamed and misguided. There is nothing baroque about it, except the names of the composers. The trio's intense, throbbing, driven style is appropriate for the lush, romantic music with which it made its name, but is far removed from the pristine purity of the baroque. Not surprisingly, the players choose the most romanticized, overloaded editions available; moreover, many of the pieces are of dubious authorship or not written for their instruments. Their justification is that baroque composers themselves made countless transcriptions of their own and others' works, and that later virtuoso arrangers created their own tradition, but the former preserved the originals' style, while the latter are now widely frowned upon. Their most unfortunate selection is an arrangement of Bach's famous chaconne by an English film composer: blown up with newly invented material and grandiose cadenzas, it simulates a full orchestra. The packaging of the disc makes one wonder whether these fine players are being promoted for their talent or their glamorous good looks: credit is given to the photographer, the make-up artist, hair and clothing stylists, and providers of the dresses. Is there a message here about the status of women musicians? --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bach fans rejoice! A brilliant Chaconne presentation!, November 21, 1999

By	MichaelJohn (USA) - See all my reviews

This trio has reached the summit of musical excellence! They play with fire and passion. This is not a stuffy period performance, but a full-blown romantic performance that succeeds in making this Baroque music a joy to listen to.

Each selection they chose is a delightful Baroque work. They play them with conviction as if they've played them all their lifes. I suspect that these ladies must be able to read each others minds- because they seem to know how each other plays instinctively. It all comes together and 'gels' like it should.

As wonderfull as these works are- this album contains a showpiece that only the best virtuoso musicians dare to play. The mind-blowing Bach Chaconne (from BWV 1004)!

Award-winning composer Anne Dudley's has transcribed Bach's masterpiece for piano trio. And, it's fantastic. This work of Bach is probably the greatest single composition of all time. In this one incredible piece of music, just over 14 minutes, Bach takes you on a wounderous spiritual and life enriching journey.

Nothing in Bach's music is lost in this transcription. In fact, harmonies and melodies are superbly worked out by Dudley. It's a mystery why Beethoven or Brahms never transcribed the piece for piano trio. It works. You'll hear how beautifully the cello and violin interact and 'share' the melody in a very beautiful and natural manner. As if Bach had written it this way for trio. It's that natural. With 34 variations in the work, a single, solo instrument (as often recorded) presents a real challange in creating enough tone colors to prevent loss of interest. But, with three instruments as presented here, they provide a wide variety of tone colors that Dudley has taken advantage of masterfully, providing an almost kalidescopic wonder of colors and tones. Every romantic 'trick' seems to be used, but it's never gimmicky.

What is Bach saying to us in the Chaconne? I don't know for sure. But I do know it's something worth trying to discover. Will the wonder of Bach ever cease? This I do know. Never.

Thankyou trio, for choosing to play this work. My vote for classical album of the year.

Mike

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Together, they make music, May 14, 2001

By A Customer

I'll be honest... I wouldn't ask any of these three musicians to make cd of them playing alone. But together, they are incredible! I heard the Chaconne on the Radio about a year ago, and I have spent the interim looking for this cd. If you like Baroque Chamber music, this is definitely a must have for your collection. And if you haven't heard the Anne Dudley arrangement of the Chaconne, you are missing out on a spectacular version of that piece. It's the best I've heard (of all of the millions of arrangements).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Defense of their rendition of Bach's Chaconne, July 11, 2000

By	Mark K. Reed (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm in concurrence for the most part with the review by Edith Eisler. However, I must take exception to the distain she (and some others) have heaped upon this arrangement of Bach's Chaconne. I just flat-out disaggree. This a sincere, powerful and effective transcription of this work, and does it great justice. It's quite closely related to the piano version of Busoni, and equally gripping. My only perhaps critical comment would pertain to a balance which at times seems weighted too much away from the pianist's contribution.