This is splendid idiomatic and memorbale performance of two fine chamber works. The recording is most realistic. No reservations whatsoever.
August 10, 2008These two trios are well played on this disc. As usual with Saint-Saens the music is unfailingly tunefull and pleasant. The writing for the piano is particularly good -- perhaps because the composer was a pianist of some renown. I thought the sound quality was good but occasionally somewhat distant or veiled but certainly acceptable. Of course the naxos price is just right.
September 28, 2005 |  | Two of Saint-Säens's best works |  |
Saint-Saëns's two piano trios both rank among his best works. The four-movement first is more playful, with many syncopated rhythms and intricate melodies; the five-movement second, published close to thirty years later, is even better. Saint-Saëns delayed its completion for a while, and one can understand why when listening to it - it's obvious that a lot of work went into its composition. Although written for only three instruments, it rivals in power and majesty some of his most interesting large-scale pieces. Each movement is excellent enough when isolated from the others, but the cumulative effect of the whole is what makes this a masterwork. The piano writing is brilliant throughout, and this recording has a perfect sound balance, which is especially important in chamber works. The Naxos price is inviting, but it doesn't even matter: this music is priceless.
September 9, 2002| | | TWO SAINT-SAENS TRIOS TOO GOOD TO PASS UP | |
Separated by a thirty year stretch, the two Saint-Saens piano trios, coupled here together by Naxos for the first time on CD (to my knowledge), are beautiful, enduring, melodic works in the tradition of Schumann and Mendelssohn. It's incomprehensively mystifying to me that these trios have never entered "the standard repertoire." They certainly should have before this. Well, so it goes. Better late than never. Lucky us!
The Op. 18, written in 1863, is an immediately and thoroughly attractive work, every movement memorable. Particularly haunting is the lyrical Andante. The Op. 92, written in 1892, is every bit as moving and irresistable as its younger sister--- but, perhaps, a touch wiser and more ruminative; yet, again, each movement is a gem (and Camille, that sly French devil, has given us five, rather than the usual four, to treasure). As with the Op. 18, special mention should be made of the enchanting Andante.
The Joachim Trio, playing splendidly, receive a fine realistic and warm sound.
[Running time: 65:28]
July 6, 2000More reviews at Amazon.com ...
