Now this was a lovely surprise, the Piano Quartet 1 i know fairly well, but this is only the second time i've ever listened to Faure's Piano Trio, and really the first time i've seriously taken note, and what a revelation it is, full of those wry musical ideas that it seems only he can compose, it's only a 21 minute work, but the first movement is a beaut, if it made such a great impression on an early listen, think what it will do ten listens down the road, of course it's only the second time i've listened to this disc, at first i had reservations, as i'm a 'completist', and Faure's Piano Quartets obviously deserve to be issued as a set, i dislike bits of works issued over separate discs, but this doesn't bother me as much as it used to, this is a wonderful delve into some of the most sublime music of Faure.
The Beaux Arts Trio 1955-2008 are one of the most original Piano Trios to have graced the concert circuit, as well as record all the main repertoire on Philips, a model for all other subsequent Trios to emulate, they made this recording in 1988, the front cover picture [by Christian Steiner] is a superb shot of the trio, showing all three instruments, the reddish browns of the strings make a wonderful colour, and the trio are nicely posed, a great visual idea.
It was the first movement that really caught my ear, it transported me away to those wistful moments of i don't know what, but Faure can so much transport you to another world / time, he has such an individual soundworld, the piece starts off as a dialogue between cello and piano, before the violin joins in, it's the piano that seems to fuel the melody and ideas, and there's just the most exquisite tune that the piano plays [1:00-1:21], using the most delicious accidental [1:03], how tunes can hang on one note, and transform the whole piece, sounding like some of his solo piano music,
Here's the Trio Enescu playing the first movement on YouTube.
The Beaux Arts Trio 1955-2008 are one of the most original Piano Trios to have graced the concert circuit, as well as record all the main repertoire on Philips, a model for all other subsequent Trios to emulate, they made this recording in 1988, the front cover picture [by Christian Steiner] is a superb shot of the trio, showing all three instruments, the reddish browns of the strings make a wonderful colour, and the trio are nicely posed, a great visual idea.
It was the first movement that really caught my ear, it transported me away to those wistful moments of i don't know what, but Faure can so much transport you to another world / time, he has such an individual soundworld, the piece starts off as a dialogue between cello and piano, before the violin joins in, it's the piano that seems to fuel the melody and ideas, and there's just the most exquisite tune that the piano plays [1:00-1:21], using the most delicious accidental [1:03], how tunes can hang on one note, and transform the whole piece, sounding like some of his solo piano music,
Here's the Trio Enescu playing the first movement on YouTube.
