COMPOSERS: Schubert
LABELS: Analekta
ALBUM TITLE: Schubert
WORKS: Piano Trios (complete)
PERFORMER: Gryphon trio
CATALOGUE NO: AN 2 9855-6
In the same month as Trio Wanderer’s excellent set (see Chamber Choice, p109) comes another fine set of Schubert piano trios, with a similar precision and poised, contained ‘Classical’ feel. What these accounts lack, however, is the overflowing vitality and intelligent insight that in the Wanderer’s versions compensate for the relative understatement when it comes to Romantic shading. The Gryphons do bring a fresh slant to some details, such as the jazzy syncopations towards the end of the finale of No. 2, for example. But the finale theme is staid in comparison to the Wanderer, nor does it have the very Austrian warmth the Beaux Arts find in it. The opening of the Notturno is finely done, but the more animated middle section drags. There’s also something a little hard about the beauty of the playing – a quality the recording tends to magnify.
Schubert: Piano Trios (complete)
In the same month as Trio Wanderer’s excellent set (see Chamber Choice, p109) comes another fine set of Schubert piano trios, with a similar precision and poised, contained ‘Classical’ feel. What these accounts lack, however, is the overflowing vitality and intelligent insight that in the Wanderer’s versions compensate for the relative understatement when it comes to Romantic shading. The Gryphons do bring a fresh slant to some details, such as the jazzy syncopations towards the end of the finale of No. 2, for example.
Published: January 20, 2012 at 4:08 pm