Beethoven for Three: Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale” and Op. 1 No. 3 No Minimum Order

Description

Violinist Leonidas Kavakos, pianist Emanuel Ax, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, venerable veterans all, have recorded several of these Beethoven for Three albums, featuring a symphony arranged for piano trio along with other works by Beethoven or others. This release makes an excellent place to start for the curious. Certainly, it would not have been odd in the 19th century, when symphonies were realized like this at home, to hear an arrangement for trio of the Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 (“Pastoral”). However, the version here, by contemporary pianist Shai Wosner, is especially good, with Ma’s cello buzzing up an impressive storm in the fourth movement. All-star chamber music recordings often seemed designed more to sell albums than to realize musical values, but this group has a real rapport, with a flowing, lyrical Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3, that can stand with any on the market. In general, there is a relaxed quality here that marks the best chamber playing, and this may have something to do with the Tanglewood Music Festival recording locale; Sony’s sound showcases the music ideally, and the setting must have been congenial for the musicians. A standout chamber release. ~ James Manheim