Cortot-Thibaud-Casals Trio - Great Recordings of the Century: Beethoven "Archduke" Piano Trio and Schubert Piano Trio in B flat

More than 70 years have passed since the Cortot-Thibaud-Casals trio waxed the Schubert B flat and Beethoven Archduke trios. Both recordings were hailed as classics in the early days of electrical recording and have enjoyed numerous incarnations on LP and CD. Even if you already own these performances, you honestly haven't heard them until you experience these new restorations. The effect is not unlike washing your eyeglasses. All the surface snap, crackle, and swish has been tamed, but more room tone emerges along with long-buried, intermingling overtones from all three instruments. There's more tempo fluctuation than modern ears may be accustomed to, along with Thibaud's slippery portamentos. Yet these devices are channeled toward specific expressive ends. Mannered they may seem, but indulgent, never. And listeners used to Cortot's freewheeling approach to solo repertoire will be surprised at how much he behaves himself in a chamber music context. Write, petition, call, beg, cajole, do anything to induce EMI to bring out the remainder of this trio's recorded output in equally amazing transfers. --Jed Distler Amazon.com essential recording

Beethoven's Archduke Trio, Casals

It is good to have a CD which welds together into one the eight sides of the original 78 rpm "His Master's Voice" recordings. Alfred Cortot tends to rush certain passages in the Scherzo, and Jacques Thibaud's sound can become thin. He also has a shaky entrance or two. It is great to hear Pablo Casals bringing unity of sound to the group. All in all, it is a very moving recording and one which should be heard by any trio considering performing the piece. ( M.L. Benedict and Charles E. Calvert) September 6, 2008

A treasure for all time.

These performances have stood the test of time, without relying on dazzling virtuosity or technique, or reaching for effect. Nothing but affectionate musicianship. October 30, 2006

Amusing golden musical treasures!

No matter if the sound is not the best . You and me know the meaning of these recordings . The pleasure of enjoying such trio with this giant trio Thibaud , Cortot and Casals makes you soon forget the delightful sound of DDD for instance .
The Archiduke is plenty of soverignity . However I rather prefer the recording of 1960 with Casals (84) , Vegh and Horszowski .
Nevertheless this commented version is much more lyrical than the sixties . Thibaud with his flamboyant and nuance vibrato literally sings all along the work , Casals is the real master and commander in this performing and Cortot knows how enter with his cantabile without forcing or shade the principal voice .
The Schubert trio is anthological . To me it was the best recording till that overwhelming version of Stern , Istomin and Rose . You may well consider both of them as one two winners in all the discography .
This album is really a treasure file .
Casals was the most gifted musician - plenty of commitment and mercurial magnetism - in all the XX century . He was the Midas musician for excellence! August 23, 2004

Good music, bad sound quality

This is indeed wonderful music and they do it right. The Schubert Trio No 1 is clearly played better than the Archduke. You can feel on piece that they really enjoy playing together.
The only drawback, which I find quite anoying, is the sound quality which is close to terrible. If you listen to it through headphones, the noise becomes overwhelming. It definitely worths as a document, not clear if it worths as a music record. February 26, 2004

The joy of pure music making!

To me, this is what music making is all about.

The performance of Archduke on this disc is so loyal, so friendly, so charming and so so musical that one feels as though they are sitting down for an intimate exchange with the Old World herself.

Enjoy! September 29, 2003

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