Shostakovich/Tchaikovsky: Piano Trios

Although these musicians have previously played together in duos, you aren't likely to hear the trio of Martha Argerich, Gidon Kremer, and Mischa Maisky every day. The friends have attempted to perform as a threesome for decades, but it took sheer luck, and a few 1998 dates in Japan, to find the acclaimed pianist, violinist, and cellist onstage together. Recorded as a tribute to Reinhard Paulsen, the late manager of Argerich and Kremer, this disc features two of chamber music's darkest pieces: Shostakovich's op. 67 and Tchaikovsky's op. 50 for piano and strings. Both composers wrote these works as elegies, and the effect of the pairing is riveting; the Shostakovich is bleak and occasionally violent (the use of Jewish melodies makes this as much a remembrance of the Holocaust as of any individual), while Tchaikovsky's epic, nearly 50-minute piece requires more patience but is even more expansive. Though the musicians haven't performed these pieces before, they have an intuitive grasp of the music--Kremer seems meant for these lyrical, personal violin passages, and Argerich is ready to unleash her fury at a moment's notice. Sonically, Maisky's cello is slightly obscured by his powerhouse peers, but he serves as a sobering backbone to these compositions. The very short tango by contemporary Peter Kiesewetter acts as an encore, a two-minute reminder that these friends know how to have fun too. --Jason Verlinde Amazon.com

The big meeting at the summit--and it disappoints

"Every concert must be 'ewent.'" --Mstislav Rostropovich

What is it about "Event" concerts? Whether it's the Rolling Stones' latest reunion, Benny Goodman's Anniversary Carnegie Hall Concert, or Bernstein at the Wall doing Beethoven's 9th, for some reason the assembly of Big Name talents playing Important Works frequently seems to disappoint. (There are some exceptions: the Modern Jazz Quartet's farewell concert; Horowitz's return to Moscow in 1986.) Still, we keep hoping the next encounter will strike fire and make the history that's expected. And it seems to me that a lot of listeners who are more interested in basking in that history rather than just listening with their ears wide open and their expectations in neutral always hear the results as "Incredible," "Magnificent," "The Greatest Recording of Anything ever!!"

That aside, I was really looking forward to this CD. I like all three musicians, though I do think Argerich is overrated sometimes and people respond more to her persona than anything else. But still, I figured her firey temperment was ideal for this music. The thing with Shostakovich that most people don't realize is, the structure is of paramount importance. (Think of all the rambling, incoherent readings of the Fifth Symphony out there.) As another reviewer here perceptively notes, the three musicians fall apart at the beginning and never really recover. This is a work of large structures, really, and they don't play it that way. Instead we get a series of unconnected episodes. And--and this is the oddest aspect of the performance I can't explain--despite all the flailing and banging away, they never really build up to a big, hair-raising finale. It's loud, it's harsh, but it sounds like sound and fury signifying nothing. Perhaps the best performance of the Shostakovich trio I've ever heard is by the Kalichstein/Laredo/Robinson trio on Arabesque. This two-for-the-price-of-one set features searing performances of several other DSCH chamber works, major and minor, in excellent sound. And some of the other music in this set is not often heard and is positively bizarre (in a good way). This set certainly will not disappoint, and Amazon sells it, though for some reason they won't let me post a direct link here. Another fine performance of the DSCH Op. 67 trio is Kagan/Gutman/Richter, who, quite frankly, are worth hearing in practically anything anyway.

As for the Tchaikovsky, I really don't have many other examples to go on, but this one I just found boring and plodding. (Anyone with suggestions for good performances of the Tchaikovsky work feel free to email me...I'd appreciate it.) December 9, 2001

Riveting Performance of Three Friends Playing a Live Concert

These are profound, riveting performances of Shostakovich's and Tchiakovsky's piano trios. Admittedly, Argerich leads the trio with her fiery keyboard playing, but Kremer is no less memorable for his lyrical phrasing on the violin. Maisky is just as fine on the cello, though he is often overshadowed by his friends. Both pieces are dark, somber works which are well suited to Argerich's tempestuous personality. Although the sound quality isn't as fine as a contemporary studio recording, it does come quite close. I tip my hat in admiration to Deutsche Grammophon for producing a splendid recording which celebrates a long-lasting friendship amongst three of our most exciting classical musicians. August 30, 2001

3 strong personalties, united here

This recording, taken from two live performances in Japan, is unusual, but breathtaking. And contrary to what one reviewer on the review page said, this is not the first time the 3 have played together. It was the year before this present recording was made, in '97 in Verbier, that they played for the first time.
The Shostakovich is a very graphic interpretation, vividly portraying the anger and the pain behind the music. The three performers are very strong personalities and naturally there will be doubt as to how successful their collaboration will be in chamber music. While still maintaining their individual temperaments, the performance as a whole is a keenly united one. The interplay, the communication between the three players is impressive. Some have commented at the lack of techinical accuracy. Maybe that is so, but I sometimes think that some of these 'inaccuracies' are deliberate, to strengthen the music's drama. The Tchaikovsky is also another great Russian piano trio. It was written after the death of a beloved colleague, Nikolai Rubinstein. Incidentally, both trios on this disc were written after both composers lost dear friends. For Shostakovich, it was written in memory of Ivan Sollertinsky. And this disc is dedicated to the memory of Argerich and kremer's manager. So it is quite a deadly affair, this disc!
The Tchaikovsky is a long work - 40 minutes at least. Here it is
nearly 48 minutes! But the playing here is so impassioned and keenly felt that the impression is that it isn't that long at all. A very lyrical, yet powerfully articulated performance like this is rare. All the players are on top form for the Tchaikovsky, and from Argerich there is the strongest support you could imagine for a piano trio. The encore is a very witty 'medley' of Tchaikovsky's works (ranging from the Pathetique symphony, violin concerto, quotes from Eugene Onegin, to the Rococo Variations). Very humorous.
The sound is very vivid, and the booklet contains informative notes by David Brown, and entertaining observations by Argerich's second daughter, Annie, who describes what happened before the performances took place. August 30, 2001

Breathtaking

It is a simply stunning performance, based on the talent of three unique musicians. Argerich is somehow the leading power of the trio, while the rest are no less worth praise for their great musicianship. Communication between the musicians adds to the superiority of this recording. Last, but not least: it is a live recording, and any sensitive person can feel that. It may not be the most immaculate perfomance ever recorded, but it has such an atmosphere that cannot be easily achieved in any studio. June 20, 2001

Astounding Fiasco

I admire and respect all three musicians on this recording, but this is probably their worst performance ever. It was the first time Argerich, Kremer and Maisky played together, and it shows in every note. Shostakovich's Trio No 2, which happens to be one of my very favorite pieces of music, is not only technically demanding, but requires all three musiscians to carefully follow the structure of the whole piece. Argerich/Kremer/Maisky fall apart right in the beginning and never come together again. Second movement is especially awful, both technically and structurally. Technical mistakes are to a certain degree expected and can be forgiven in a live recording, but only if it has other redeeming qualities. This one has none. Tchaikovsky's trio is played slightly better, but not by much. If I rate Shostakovich as "awful", this one can be rated "bad". In general, this recording will easily make my Top 10 Worst Recordings Ever. The only fact which is more appalling than the release of this recording is it's nomination for Grammy award. I had little respect for Grammies to begin with, but that nomination was just ridiculous.

If you want to hear how Shostakovich's Trio should be played, listen to the incomparable Oistrakh/Sadlo/Shostakovich recording made in 1948. The mono sound is bad, but the playing will bring you to tears. If you absolutely must have better sound, then stick to Kagan/Gutman/Richter or Stern/Ma/Ax versions. For Tchaikovsky, my favorite is again a historic recording by Gilels/Kogan/Rostropovich. For a good modern recording, try Perlman/Harrell/Ashkenazy February 28, 2001

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