Notes and Editorial Reviews
A magnificent cycle - superb interpretations that haven't been superseded
The Beethoven piano trios have been at the hub of the Beaux Arts Trio's repertoire throughout its long history. Despite a series of personnel switches, the group's approach to Beethoven has remained outstandingly consistent for more than 40 years. The first ever Beaux Arts Beethoven set is currently available in Philips' "The Early Years" series. It was produced during the mid-1960s and did not include transcriptions of the Op. 20 Septet or Second symphony. When Isador Cohen replaced founding violinist Daniel Guilet in 1968, the group (which also included the pianist Menahem Pressler, longest serving member of the ensemble, and cellist
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Bernard Greenhouse) would not return to Beethoven for another decade.
The trio's next traversal, heard here, was recorded between 1979 and 1983. This magnificent cycle still has but one serious rival, in the shape of Vol. 9 of DG's "Complete Beethoven Edition", which includes performances by the Kempff-Szeryng-Fournier trio. DG's recordings were acceptable, but unlike Philips' they never were in the demonstration category. Now that the Beaux Arts Trio's second cycle is available again, DG's set seems less attractive, though its superbly illustrated booklet is well worth having anyway.
These performances, issued in 1991, are superb interpretations that haven't been superseded.
--Michael Jameson, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 1 in E flat major, Op. 1 no 1 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1794-1795; Vienna, Austria
2.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 2 in G major, Op. 1 no 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1794-1795; Vienna, Austria
3.
Allegretto for Piano and Strings in B flat major, WoO 39 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1812; Vienna, Austria
4.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 3 in C minor, Op. 1 no 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1794-1795; Vienna, Austria
5.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 6 in E flat major, Op. 70 no 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1808; Vienna, Austria
6.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 10 in E flat major, Op. 44 "Variations on an Original Theme" by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1792; Bonn, Germany
7.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 7 in B flat major, Op. 97 "Archduke" by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1810-1811; Vienna, Austria
8.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 9 in E flat major, WoO 38 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: ?1791; Bonn, Germany
9.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 11 in G major, Op. 121a "Kakadu Variations" by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1803/1816; Vienna, Austria
10.
Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Cello in E flat major, Op. 38 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1803; Vienna, Austria
11.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 5 in D major, Op. 70 no 1 "Ghost" by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1808; Vienna, Austria
12.
Symphony no 2 in D major, Op. 36 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1801-1802; Vienna, Austria
13.
Trio for Piano and Strings no 12 in E flat major, Hess 48 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: circa 1790-1792; Bonn, Germany
14.
Trio for Piano, Clarinet/Violin and Cello no 4 in B flat major, Op. 11 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Beaux Arts Trio
Period: Classical
Written: 1797; Vienna, Austria
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