Mendelssohn: The Piano Trios & Works for cello & piano

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I was initially surprised by their rather elegant approach to the D minor Trio's opening...In the event, my misgivings proved unfounded. The Goulds build up quite a head of steam...there is brilliance... — BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2014, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 30th Jun 2014
Catalogue No: CHRCD088
Label: Champs Hill Records
Length: 72 minutes

This item is currently out of stock at the UK distributor. You may order it now but please be aware that it may be six weeks or more before it can be despatched.

Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49

Work length27:50

$5.00

$7.00

Gould Piano Trio

I. Molto allegro agitato

Track length9:16

$1.50

$2.10

II. Andante con moto tranquillo

Track length6:19

$1.00

$1.40

III. Scherzo

Track length3:41

$1.00

$1.40

IV. Finale

Track length8:34

$1.50

$2.10

Mendelssohn: Variations concertantes Op. 17

Work length9:10

$1.50

$2.10

Gould Piano Trio

Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66

Work length28:32

$5.00

$7.00

Gould Piano Trio

I. Allegro energico e con fuoco

Track length10:46

$1.50

$2.10

II. Andante espressivo

Track length6:39

$1.00

$1.40

III. Scherzo

Track length3:33

$1.00

$1.40

IV. Finale

Track length7:34

$1.50

$2.10

Mendelssohn: Albumblatt for Piano in E Minor, Op. 117, MWV U 134

Work length2:01

$1.00

$1.40

Gould Piano Trio

Mendelssohn: Romance sans paroles for Cello and Piano in D Major, Op. 109, MWV Q 34

Work length4:53

$1.00

$1.40

Gould Piano Trio

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Champs Hill Records adds to its Mendelssohn discography with a new release of Piano Trios from the acclaimed Gould Piano Trio: violinist Lucy Gould, cellist Alice Neary and pianist Benjamin Frith.

The album includes a priceless cello miniature in the form of the Song without Words in D major Op.109 and the charming Albumblatt for piano in E minor Op.117. The Gould Piano Trio's Mendelssohn pedigree is extremely fine. From studies in Banff as a young ensemble with the great Menahem Pressler through many performances, and a previous recording of the trios over a decade ago, they bring the perspective of a longer acquaintance with this wonderful music. They were recently compared to the Beaux Arts Trio by the Washington Post for their "musical fire" and dedication to the genre.

Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No 1 in D minor received its first performance in Leipzig in February 1840, with the composer at the piano, and the string parts played by the Gewandhaus Orchestra’s leader, Ferdinand David, and its principal cellist, Franz Carl Wittmann. Robert Schumann’s review of the published score declared the work to be the ‘master trio of today' and is universally recognised as one of his greatest works, along with his Octet.

The Piano Trio No 2 in C minor, composed and published four years later, was dedicated to the violinist Louis Spohr takes the melody of a German chorale, also known in English as 'Old Hundredth' for its association with the 100th Psalm. The 'Variations Concertantes' for violin and cello were written when the composer was 20 - a simple homespun melody put through a series of classical variations, culminating in a full-blown romantic finale.

Benjamin Frith writes: "Mendelssohn's cultural inheritance was the great Classical repertoire that he imbibed as a child. In the two masterly Piano Trios and his Variations concertantes he adapts those former principals of structure and form to his own inimitable musical personality".

Reviews

Christmas 2014

I was initially surprised by their rather elegant approach to the D minor Trio's opening...In the event, my misgivings proved unfounded. The Goulds build up quite a head of steam...there is brilliance and dexterity in both Scherzos, and the slow movements are warmly projected without sentimentality.

November 2014

Throughout the performances, Benjamin Frith revels in the brilliance of Mendelssohn's pianism, yet without overshadowing the strings...The two Scherzos are models of confident, precise ensemble playing...in the Song Without Words, Alice Neary's tone and phrasing combine to give her line a truly vocal quality.

10th August 2014

Mendelssohn’s two wonderful Piano Trios are realised here with a sumptuous sweep and a tender loving care, virtues that speak of the ensemble’s long, distinguished career.

Classical Music

The Goulds have a generous, warm-hued view, finding a rich, golden sound with no want of fire or gossamer lightness when required.

Mendelssohn: The Piano Trios & Works for cello & piano

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