Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, The Moscow Rachmaninov Trio, Natalia Savinova :: Rachmaninov: Piano Trios

These delicious aperitifs by Serge Rachmaninov for piano trio are not quite minor efforts, but they are the product of Rachmaninov's youth. All were composed by the time Rachmaninov was 21, and he wrote no other chamber works after 1900--which is a shame, because he was good at it. The most famous of these works, the Piano Trio No. 1 in G minor, is recognizably the work of a Romantic genius. Its main theme is as memorable as anything Rachmaninov ever wrote. Perhaps less memorable is the Piano Trio No. 2 in D minor. This is a more dolorous affair and exhibits, at least in the role of the piano, elements of Chopin the young composer had studied. The Moscow Rachmaninov Trio takes to these works with clear affection, even if the studio ambience is a bit muddled on Trio No. 2. Still, this disc is to be recommended, especially for the filler, two works for cello and piano and violin and piano. Very nice indeed. --Paul Cook