Beethoven : Trios pour piano en mi bémol majeur (Trio Peabody)

Album review

In the liner notes of this Peabody Trio recording of Beethoven's Op. 1 (Nos. 1 and 3), the argument is made that Beethoven's early piano trios were more "Beethovenian" than his early compositions in other genres such as the string quartets and symphonies. The basis for this argument is that while the works of Mozart and Haydn still dominated in those genres, Beethoven was able to explore more freely in the comparatively neglected piano trio genre. This is a convincing verbal argument that is made all-the-more persuasive by the Peabody Trio's execution of these two early works. The group's interpretation is much more spontaneous and fiery than other respected ensembles such as the Beaux Arts Trio. The string playing, in particular, is quite edgy, a tactic that works especially well in Beethoven's often-visited, tragic key of C minor. As much as the C minor trio is heartrending, the E flat major trio is jubilant without being given a sense that it is a juvenile composition. Balance within the ensemble is generally quite good, and the three musicians pass the melody between themselves fluidly. Intonation is precise, as would be expected from an ensemble of such esteem. Although the Peabody Trio had released only one other album of the piano trios, it will certainly be interesting to see if it maintains this level of intensity and intelligence throughout the cycle.
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