Search - Johannes Brahms :: Brahms: Piano Trios 1-3

The Standard for the Brahms Piano Trios

Robert L. Berkowitz | Natick, MA United States | 06/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased the first disc of this two-disc collection many years ago after falling in love with the Brahms Violin Sonatas played by Suk and Katchen. Many years later, I needed to replace the disc and searched far and wide for it. I finally found it on the UK amazon site and have gladly added it back into my collection.



Although the Suk/Katchen duo was eventually superseded by other artists for my first choice of recordings of the Brahms Violin Sonatas, I have not yet found a more satisfying account of the Brahms Piano Trios. I am aware that the Penguin Guide prefers the recording by Trio Fontenay -- and they boast a better stereo acoustic -- but this warm, originally analog, recording serves to enhance the sense of an intimate encounter with this lovingly-played chamber music. The artists are expertly balanced and they all play with commitment and a unified musical vision. I particularly enjoy Janos Starker's contribution to the Op. 8 trio.



I have never quite warmed to the second disc in this set the way that I have to the first. It is great to have the third trio, though it is less initially appealing than the first two trios. The Cello Sonata No. 2 and Scherzo for Violin and Piano (from the F-A-E Sonata) are reasonable fillers, though one is aware of their role as fillers (why not have the first Cello Sonata?). Janos Starker recorded both Cello Sonatas on RCA with Rudolf Buchbinder in a later recording that is superior to this account both musically and acoustically, and one has the benefit of having both the cello sonatas.



Still, one cannot today obtain the first disc outside this compilation, and the first disc deserves five stars, so I won't hold back from giving it my highest recommendation."