Schubert's Piano Trios

[snyprrr]

I like it. You can hear everything, and the group plays very crisply. I hear this is a very low wattage performance, but some have said that this Schubert stripped of the 20th century, so to speak (in the good way). Though I'm ignorant enough of the music, I can tell that this isn't the only performance you'd want. It's definitely a very very pleasant listen, very nice and mellow, and glittering.

I've been really really enjoying the Virgin release (haha!). I can very well tell that this is an 'AfterHours' Session, and y'know?, it does sound a bit jazzy,... and I think it's the music and not the performance. What do I know?

I sure wish someone else could be a witness to this recording. I'd like to know what are some other 'mellow' recordings.

However, that Gaia thing seems to be the only way to go on this one.

[petrarch]

I am also in search for the recording of D929, ever since The Hunger and getting the soundtrack CD in the early 90s.

I have recently tried 4 versions with the following results:

1. Serkin/Busch/Busch - They play the andante at the right pace, but unfortunately the sound quality is poor.
2. Schiff/Shiokawa/Perenyi - Interesting version, but the instruments are a bit distant and in the denser parts they sound blurred. This is especially noticeable when the piano starts the arpeggiations in the andante, where the individual notes drown in reverb.
3. Gaia Scienza - Very good sound quality, but they hurry a bit through the andante. There is more 'air' between the instruments. I wish they played it more like the Serkin/Busch/Busch. I might get used to this one.
4. Beaux Arts Trio - Good sound quality, although the piano was probably picked up too close and sounds much bigger than the strings. Overall a very good version. (this is the Philips double CD with BAT only, not the one with Grumiaux)

The challenge for me is getting a good interpretation in a recording of enough quality to give me the sense and illusion of "being there". There probably won't be one version that does it all, but two or three to be listened to depending on the mood.

Will have to try the Florestan and Capuçon next.

[snyprrr]

I am also in search for the recording of D929, ever since The Hunger and getting the soundtrack CD in the early 90s.

I have recently tried 4 versions with the following results:

1. Serkin/Busch/Busch - They play the andante at the right pace, but unfortunately the sound quality is poor.
2. Schiff/Shiokawa/Perenyi - Interesting version, but the instruments are a bit distant and in the denser parts they sound blurred. This is especially noticeable when the piano starts the arpeggiations in the andante, where the individual notes drown in reverb.
3. Gaia Scienza - Very good sound quality, but they hurry a bit through the andante. There is more 'air' between the instruments. I wish they played it more like the Serkin/Busch/Busch. I might get used to this one.
4. Beaux Arts Trio - Good sound quality, although the piano was probably picked up too close and sounds much bigger than the strings. Overall a very good version. (this is the Philips double CD with BAT only, not the one with Grumiaux)

The challenge for me is getting a good interpretation in a recording of enough quality to give me the sense and illusion of "being there". There probably won't be one version that does it all, but two or three to be listened to depending on the mood.

Will have to try the Florestan and Capuçon next.

I'd like to know your opinion of the Capucon when you get it. Though i can tell it's not the only One (maybe that IS Florestan?), it's the kind of Virgin/Philips type recording that finds its way to the player very frequently,... if you like the Tetzlaff/Andsnes Bartok on Virgin, then you know the kind of aural experience you get here.

Plus!, Schubert's not so bad either! I find I'm liking the more cheerful PT (the oooother one).

[Mandryka]

I am also in search for the recording of D929, ever since The Hunger and getting the soundtrack CD in the early 90s.

I have recently tried 4 versions with the following results:

1. Serkin/Busch/Busch - They play the andante at the right pace, but unfortunately the sound quality is poor.
2. Schiff/Shiokawa/Perenyi - Interesting version, but the instruments are a bit distant and in the denser parts they sound blurred. This is especially noticeable when the piano starts the arpeggiations in the andante, where the individual notes drown in reverb.
3. Gaia Scienza - Very good sound quality, but they hurry a bit through the andante. There is more 'air' between the instruments. I wish they played it more like the Serkin/Busch/Busch. I might get used to this one.
4. Beaux Arts Trio - Good sound quality, although the piano was probably picked up too close and sounds much bigger than the strings. Overall a very good version. (this is the Philips double CD with BAT only, not the one with Grumiaux)

The challenge for me is getting a good interpretation in a recording of enough quality to give me the sense and illusion of "being there". There probably won't be one version that does it all, but two or three to be listened to depending on the mood.

Will have to try the Florestan and Capuçon next.

Yes Gaia Scienza take the Andante faster than wer're used to from the much loved Busch recording. You may want to try the one with Casals. It's an excellent performance with a slow antante. Perhaps not quite  as original as Gaia Scienza but nevertheless very enjoyable, and with pretty good sound. Casals is on excellent form: for years I used to cherish this recording as my favourite, ahead even of Busch Bros.
[asin]B0000029L8[/asin]

Ir maybe even more interesting, not least because of the fact that they make no cuts,  Golub Kaplan Carr take the trio at a usual pace, and here the sound is modern and the interpretation stimulating.

[snyprrr]

That Golub/Kaplan/Carr recording is getting a lot of Fives on this Thread!!

[petrarch]

Will have to try the Florestan and Capuçon next.

I'm in the process of listening to the Braley/Capuçon/Capuçon and to the Ashkenazy/Zukerman/Harrell (although at the moment only on headphones, so I'll reserve more comments for when I can listen to them properly on my system). Both versions exhibit good sound quality and appear to have good balance between all instruments. As for differences:
- The Capuçon is very organic, even too organic; I felt that their timing was a bit off in the transitions between sections and they changed pace frequently without any sense of purpose that I could find.
- The Ashkenazy is even slower than the Serkin! Also an interesting version, with everything clearly stated, but a bit too morose.

At this point, my preferences lean towards Gaia Scienza and Beaux Arts, but I will have to listen to them all a few more times.

[snyprrr]

The Capuçon is very organic, even too organic; I felt that their timing was a bit off in the transitions between sections and they changed pace frequently without any sense of purpose that I could find.
/quote]

Maybe that's what I was hearing: it was a 'something' that I couldn't put my finger on.

[Tyson]

Tried a bunch, and keep coming back to the BAT.  They really are excellent in this music.

[snyprrr]

Tried a bunch, and keep coming back to the BAT.  They really are excellent in this music.

Hmmm,... I'm hearing it.

[Octave]

Let me bump the thread because I've enjoyed it so much and I need to thanks everyone who's contributed; also I'd like to ask about two HIP recordings of the Schubert Piano Trios etc: La Gaia Scienza and Atlantis Trio.

The following (single discs or 2cd set, apparently roughly the same price either way) from La Gaia Scienza, on Winter & Winter, has garnered much praise at GMG and would seem to be a safe bet.



However, I ran across a comment from Peter Watchorn (in a review of the Immerseel/Beths/Bylsma at Amazon) which indicated that the Atlantis Trio recording includes all the repeats (unlike Immerseel et al) and also the ~100 missing bars (unlike La Gaia Scienza, by Mandryka's account).  GMG member Milk has mentioned his preference for the Atlantis recordings (not just the Schubert?).  Aside from just these factors, has anyone heard both the GS and AT recordings, and do you recommend one over the other?  For the moment, I think I will only be buying one of these.  I purchased the Golub-Carr-Kaplan recordings of the Trios because these included those missing bars; I enjoy the GCK recording very much, but HIP it ain't.

I'll reproduce the Amazon review and Watchorn's comments below, after the cover image:

[asin]B003LY5FN4[/asin]

Bradley P. Lehman of Amazon writes [about the Immerseel/Beths/Bylsma on Sony, comparing it to the original edition of the Atlantis recording]:

Expertly played, but lacking repeats and fire, June 28, 2000;
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.

Peter G. Watchorn commented:

Wait till you hear the Atlantis Trio set re-mastered with better ambience and stereo spread. There's no doubt that it's the set to have.
Not to mention that the Atlantis recording restores the 100 or so missing bars that Schubert was persuaded by his friends to cut out for publication, includin gthe critical moment when the 2nd and 4th movement themes are combined. In the Atlantis vesion, the finale clocks in at nearly 20 minutes. there's no doubt that Schubert was correct in his original assessment, before misguided by well-meaning friends got to him.

[Opus106]

In the interest of fair disclosure: Mr. Peter G. Watchorn is a co-founder of Musica Omnia. Not that it in any way implies the Atlantis Trio's recordings have been hyped, but as I said, it's all in the interest of fair disclosure...

[Octave]

Haha, yes, that's true.  I'm assuming massive profit margin expansion is not PW's primary reason for shilling for his own label, but he maybe should have mentioned that.  Of course, it's an Amazon comment, the essence of universally-accessible obscurity....

[SonicMan46]

Let me bump the thread because I've enjoyed it so much and I need to thanks everyone who's contributed; also I'd like to ask about two HIP recordings of the Schubert Piano Trios etc: La Gaia Scienza and Atlantis Trio........................

Hi Octave - over the years, I've culled these works down to just 2 sets:  1) Atlantis Trio & 2) Golub-Kaplan-Carr - I have no hesitation in recommending either or both (if you want MI & PI performances).  Now, there is a separate 'Schubert Piano Trio' thread - check HERE for some comments.  Also, for just another 'non-biased' review from MusicWeb reprinted HERE - good luck in your selection(s) - Dave

[Mandryka]

Hi Octave - over the years, I've culled these works down to just 2 sets:  1) Atlantis Trio & 2) Golub-Kaplan-Carr - I have no hesitation in recommending either or both (if you want MI & PI performances).  Now, there is a separate 'Schubert Piano Trio' thread - check HERE for some comments.  Also, for just another 'non-biased' review from MusicWeb reprinted HERE - good luck in your selection(s) - Dave

But you must have Gaia Scienza because the conception of the music is so different. You know, it's so much darker in their hands.  I don't think this has anything to do with being informed, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

[SonicMan46]

But you must have Gaia Scienza because the conception of the music is so different. You know, it's so much darker in their hands.  I don't think this has anything to do with being informed, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

No, I've not heard those performances, BUT the reviews on Amazon certainly pique my interest - however, the price is a little steep there and also about the same 'across the pond' @ MDT - so not inclined at the moment, however, another Amazon gift card may do the trick? 

[Octave]

Thanks for that feedback, Dave and Mandryka....it looks like I face little choice aside from "buy both".

[SonicMan46]

Thanks for that feedback, Dave and Mandryka....it looks like I face little choice aside from "buy both".

Hi Octave - well, BOTH are the best choice -     Dave

[Bogey]

I am also in search for the recording of D929, ever since The Hunger and getting the soundtrack CD in the early 90s.

4. Beaux Arts Trio - Good sound quality, although the piano was probably picked up too close and sounds much bigger than the strings. Overall a very good version. (this is the Philips double CD with BAT only, not the one with Grumiaux)

Did they do these twice (outside of the Grumiaux)?  That is, one set with Cohen and an earlier one with Guilet?

[petrarch]

Did they do these twice (outside of the Grumiaux)?  That is, one set with Cohen and an earlier one with Guilet?

Yes, they did.

The Cohen is this one:

[asin]B000EBD84U[/asin]

And the Guilet, these:

[asin]B00000411U[/asin]

[petrarch]

And here's another pristine recording that I find complements the Gaia Scienza very nicely, with a warmer sound:

[asin]B004V4GXT8[/asin]