Gould Piano Trio: Saint-Saëns

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Interpreters might be tempted to decorate the music with ‘expressive’ deformations, but happily not here, where rhythms are taut (note the smart double-dotting in the second movement of the first... — BBC Music Magazine, July 2018, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 29th Mar 2018
Catalogue No: CHRCD140
Label: Champs Hill Records
Length: 79 minutes

Saint-Saëns: Piano Trio No. 1 in F major Op. 18

Work length29:14

$5.50

$7.70

Gould Piano Trio

I. Allegro vivace

Track length7:46

$1.50

$2.10

II. Andante

Track length8:49

$1.50

$2.10

III. Scherzo: Presto

Track length3:44

$1.00

$1.40

IV. Allegro

Track length8:55

$1.50

$2.10

Saint-Saëns: Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor Op. 92

Work length34:33

$6.50

$9.10

Gould Piano Trio

I. Allegro ma non troppo

Track length11:25

$2.00

$2.80

II. Allegretto

Track length6:07

$1.00

$1.40

III. Andante con moto

Track length4:32

$1.00

$1.40

IV. Grazioso, poco allegro

Track length4:38

$1.00

$1.40

V. Allegro

Track length7:51

$1.50

$2.10

Saint-Saëns: La Muse et le Poète, Op. 132

Work length15:50

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Gould Piano Trio

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Internationally acclaimed Gould Piano Trio bring their artistry to trios by Saint-Saëns, and his little known La Muse et le poète on this new recording for Champs Hill. Thirty years separate his Piano Trios Nos 1 & 2, although the first is by no means an immature work – the composer was 28, with two symphonies and violin concertos behind him, and his virtuosity as a pianist shines through right from the opening Allegro. His second trio, composed once he had achieved international fame and experienced marriage breakdown and the loss of his beloved mother, seems more serious in tone and, it could be argued, reflects this. Although Saint-Saëns himself cautioned strongly against the incorporation of subjective emotions into music saying 'Art is intended to create beauty and character, feeling only comes afterwards and art can very well do without it. In fact, it is very much better off when it does'. Benjamin Frith, pianist, writes in his introduction to the disc 'He was ahead of his time in authentic performance practice habits and an understanding of the classical repertoire, far exceeding that of most of his romantic contemporaries. Saint-Saëns’ very long life took him through the Romantic period well into the age of Debussy and early Stravinsky. Out of kilter with the latter era, for many years he had the reputation of a musical reactionary. Today, however, we can view him with more historical perspective.'

Reviews

July 2018

Interpreters might be tempted to decorate the music with ‘expressive’ deformations, but happily not here, where rhythms are taut (note the smart double-dotting in the second movement of the first Trio) and melodies played as written…overall these performances do the composer proud.

July 2018

Nothing seems forced or overstated, with tone and mood immaculately judged. The recording itself is beautifully balanced: listening on headphones, I really felt as if I were sitting in a room with the Goulds themselves at a private performance for an audience of one. Very fine.

Gould Piano Trio: Saint-Saëns

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