Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Jos van Immerseel :: Schubert: Piano Trios D 898 & d 929

Expertly played, but lacking repeats and fire

Bradley P. Lehman | Dayton, VA USA | 06/28/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a well-accomplished recording of the two big trios by Schubert, wonderful music. The period instrument sound greatly clarifies these works which can sometimes be turgid and poorly-balanced on modern instruments. A major drawback, however, is the omission of repeats. Presumably this was done so both trios could be crammed onto one CD, 78.5 minutes. It throws off the structure of the pieces. This disc also does not stand up to its competition: the Atlantis Ensemble (Schroeder/Sutherland/Crawford) on Wildboar, two discs (with additional Schubert works). The Atlantis, also on period instruments, plays with more attention to detail overall, more rhetorical freedom, more varied dynamics, more playfulness and whimsy in the fast movements, and more intensity in the slow movements. In effect, the Immerseel/Beths/Bylsma set, being comparatively straightforward and uneventful, is quite nice but quickly recedes into background listening. The Atlantis is more involving, more subjectively engaged, in every bar. It is like a difference between very good black-and-white vs outstanding full color."

This is Schubert!

D. Gammelgard | Falun, Sweden | 01/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anner Bylsma and his friends have done it again! They have produced yet another revolutionnary recording of romantic music. It is a very sucessful attempt to dust off the music of Schubert and present it in a new way probably a lot closer to the truth. It is fascinating to hear what big difference the use of gut strings and the beautiful Tröndlin-piano really makes when it comes to playing the music of Schubert and his contemporaries. This is yet another proof! These outstanding musicians have a unique way of phrasing which must be considered a result of using the right instruments and playing style. Are we seeing a development towards an "authentic" approach to later music then baroque and classical music. I sure hope so! Just see what it has done for the early music. It will take time but I'm sure it is necessary to make the music feel exciting and fresh for the future no matter where and when it was written. This is an absolutely outstanding recording which will make you think and doubt your "teachers", but most of all...Enjoy!"

Full Blooded Schubert

ymatsui4 | Tanashi, Tokyo Japan | 01/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Magnificently played and superbly recorded, and the two trios on one CD! There are flood of sounds anywhere. This is the very characterics of Schubert. Among eight movements the most impressive for me is the second movement of the E flat Trio. This CD has been 'buried alive' by an unduly biased review on Gramophone (Dec. 1977). Forget such review! In order to accomodate two works, three repeats are omitted. The omissions, however, are very carefully made so that they do not give any negative effect to the music. More serious is a big cut made by Schubert himself in the Finale of E flat Trio. It should be noted that the all recorded performances have been mede on this (authentically) abridged version. Strongly recommended."