The finest string trio ever written

[Mozart]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgttPqr6dU8
K. 563!

[The Mad Hatter]

Ha! And here I was thinking you'd be trying to start a debate!

[lukeottevanger]

...and it's a debate I'd have liked to taken part in, the string trio being one of my very favourite ensembles (more even than the quartet, in many ways). FWIW, there are the great classical string trios, and then a big gap before the next batch of masterpieces. The two groups are not really comparable IMO, the first lot often being more divertimento-like in character, like loosened-up quartets, the second lot much more intense and serious works which explore the trio sound for its gutsy, edgy take on things. The Schoenberg, Schnittke and Gideon Klein works are the supreme examples of post-classical trios for my money.

[Don Giovanni]

Not Webern's?

[lukeottevanger]

Yes, thank you, I forgot that one. It's a masterpiece indeed, though different in type from the three pieces I mentioned, I think - less raw, I suppose. It is one of the finest and most intimate of Webern's 12 tone pieces - the string trio is a form which composers tend to put their best into, IMO.

[Gurn Blanston]

Of course, Haydn wrote 23 or so of them, before he even began his quartet adventure. Some of them are indeed divertimento-esque, but some of them are chamber music. There were lots of string trios pre-K 563, although none of them could be considered a rival for the crown. And even as fond as I am of Beethoven's 3 trios of Op 9, K 563 stands above, IMO.

[Guido]

I have only ever heard the Kodaly string trio once, and it was ages ago, but I seem to remember it being pretty good.

Also do you think the Gideon Klein string trio is really that good? The opening of the theme and variations is extremely beautiful of course, but I struggled to like it as a whole - it seemed uneven structurally and in quality. Maybe I should try harder!

[lukeottevanger]

Also do you think the Gideon Klein string trio is really that good? The opening of the theme and variations is extremely beautiful of course, but I struggled to like it as a whole - it seemed uneven structurally and in quality. Maybe I should try harder!

It's not a perfect work, I suppose, but I'm not that interested in perfection. It is a very powerful piece, which interests me more.

Also, of course, 'String Trio' is not the widest of fields

[Josquin des Prez]

I like lukeottevanger's choices, but i think i'm going to agree with the original poster on this one. 

[lukeottevanger]

I didn't disagree with that choice either, though I didn't stress that as I should have. It's just that, as I said, there seem to me to be two very different string trio camps which aren't strictly comparable, not because of stylistic differences but because of their tone. In this it seems to me to be quite an unusual genre.

But, hey, we can have them all. As a wise man once [nearly] said: 'I want the finest string trios available to humanity, I want them here, and I want them now!'

[Guido]

The Weiner string sounds like it might be a stunner - sound clips are gorgeous. http://www.editionsilvertrust.com/weiner-string-trio.htm

Also Dohnanyi's Serenade is a superb piece.

[hornteacher]

Can anyone suggest a great recording of K563?

[Bunny]

My favorite recordings of the K.563 are by the Trio Pasquier (Erato) and by L'Archibudelli.

I've just learned that Erato Japan re-released the Pasquier K.563 and that it was named to the Classical Industry Hall of Fame.   

[val]

I would also chose Mozart's Trio K 563 (I love the version of the Archibudelli).

Then Schönberg's sublime Trio opus 45, one of his most deep and impressive works, composed after a disease that almost killed him. In some ways it reminds me Beethoven's Quartet opus 132.

And regarding string Trios, Beethoven composed at least three superb works: the Trios opus 9, in special the 3rd.

[Robert]

My favorite recordings of the K.563 are by the Trio Pasquier (Erato) and by L'Archibudelli.

I've just learned that Erato Japan re-released the Pasquier K.563 and that it was named to the Classical Industry Hall of Fame.   

No support for the Kremer/Kashkashian/Ma version on CBS.....

[Don]

No support for the Kremer/Kashkashian/Ma version on CBS.....

There should be.  I find this version the best modern instrument account on the market.

[Larry Rinkel]

Can anyone suggest a great recording of K563?

Do whatever you can to find the Trio à Cordes Français on Nonesuch (LP only). Haven't heard all mentioned on this thread, but I don't think it would be possible to come close to this one.

[Robert]

Do whatever you can to find the Trio à Cordes Français on Nonesuch (LP only). Haven't heard all mentioned on this thread, but I don't think it would be possible to come close to this one.

Larry,
Have you heard the Kremer/Kash/Ma ??   Not even close??? WOW     I can only imagine....I wonder if Don has heard that one?

[Larry Rinkel]

Larry,
Have you heard the Kremer/Kash/Ma ??   Not even close??? WOW     I can only imagine....I wonder if Don has heard that one?

I don't know what Don has or has not heard. And I don't know KKM. All I know is that the Nonesuch is one of the few perfect performances I know of anything.

[Larry Rinkel]

And from the 3rd movement: