Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Chung Trio, Myung-Whun Chung :: Beethoven Piano Trios Nos. 1,4, 5 & 7

Superb

OperaLover | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 08/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These performances rank with the very best in the catalogue. There may be an alternative that one might prefer according to individual taste. However the exquisite musicianship and virtuoso playing combined with the bargain price makes this two-for-one irresistable!"

Lightness, sheer delight, and exalted beauty....

Mary Emerson-Smith | Florida | 06/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am passing along a slightly edited review by the well-known music reviewer Jason Serinus with which i concur

entirely: Discover how perfectly the magnificent Chung musicians capture the spiritual elevation of Beethoven who, like Schubert, managed to transcend his personal pain (increasing deafness) while composing a work that is filled with joy and light.The unpretentious Chungs earn a star in the firmament for their ability to transform printed notes into musical greatness. Lightness, sheer delight, and exalted beauty infuse their interpretation."

Two sides of Beethoven

Juha K. Tapio | Oulu, Finland | 06/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm afraid I will not be able to ever become what they call a "serious collector", because of sheer lack of shelf space. But what I do want is a fairly comprehensive classical music collection, consisting of recordings of high and lasting quality, reasonably priced, of every genre of classical music (opera, lieder, orchestral, baroque, etc.), and without too much duplication of repertoire. It seems, thoough, that this last one cannot entirely be avoided - nor should it be, for that matter, for there are many instances where the listening experience can very much be enhanced by having at hand several versions for comparison. In general, it can be said that the greater the masterpiece, the more reason there will be for owning alternate versions - the present piano trios by Beethoven being a supreme example.



In this respect, releases like this one are a great help. Not only are the performances and level of musicianship on this CD outstanding; also the recording is very good, well balanced, clear and natural-sounding. Perhaps these performances of the Chung Trio are not the last word in interpreting these immortal piano trios (but then, what is?) - but the result is immensely enjoyable.



Placing the early op. 1 and op. 4 trios alongside with the two later masterpieces is an excellent idea. In fact, the op.1 no.1 piano trio was the very first "official" composition which Beethoven chose to publish and with which he wanted to impress the Viennese public of his time! And so thoroughly charming a composition it is, so very unlike our customary "sturm-und-drang" image of Beethoven as a composer of large-scale visionary works such as the 9th symphony, that the contrast with the spooky op. 70 "Ghost" trio that comes next on the CD could not be greater!



Heartily recommended!"