COMPOSERS: Schubert
LABELS: EMI Double Forte
WORKS: Piano Trio in B flat, D898; Piano Trio in E flat, D929; Notturno in E flat, D897; Grand Duo in A, D574
PERFORMER: Jean-Philippe Collard (piano), Augustin Dumay (violin), Frédéric Lodéon (cello)
CATALOGUE NO: CZS 5 74197 2 Reissue (1982, 1987)
Muscular elucidations of Schubert, but little allure or sensitivity from this French team. Collard’s orderly pianism lacks charisma here; cellist Frédéric Lodéon’s case-hardened, metallic timbre soon tires the ear; and Augustin Dumay’s brusque manner and relentless tempi pitch these offerings at a pretty low common denominator. For the record, though, Dumay’s recent DG collaborations with Maria João Pires and Jian Wang in Mozart and Brahms worked better.
At mid-price, the superb Philips Duo set from the original Beaux Arts Trio (Guilet, Greenhouse and Pressler) includes the complete piano trios, and provides the incomparable Grumiaux Trio performances of Schubert’s string trio works as an enticing bonus. Lastly, Dumay’s account of the Grand Duo disappoints for the reasons outlined above, so a pleasing fusion of Biedermeier delicacy and expressive economy from Thomas Brandis and Bruno Canino on Nimbus makes their fine recording the one to choose. Michael Jameson