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Music : Haydn: Complete Piano Trios
Rating: 
- Magnificent interpretations of unduly neglected works
These works for piano, violin and cello have been greatly neglected for various reasons. Starting with Robert Schumann's negative comments of Haydn, these works along with many other masterpieces of Haydn have suffered all through the 19th and 20th century from scholarly and performer's neglect. They include more than a dozen masterpieces, neglected basically because they were considerd to be simply accompanied piano sonatas or written in what was considered to have been an old-fashioned style, where the cello part reproduces the piano part( a carry-over of the basso-ostinato) or simply accompanies the piano part.Historically this is because in the time of Haydn the pianoforte was weak in the bass and needed reinforcing. And they have been neglected also partly because there is in many of them no real independence of the vocal lines between piano and violin. The reinforcing of the piano part by the cello did however give Haydn a more powerful piano with which his mind and imagination took flight and brought him to heights he never reached in any other of his works - sublime heights!
However of the 42 existent Haydn trios (there are 45 in total, 3 have been lost)(all 42 are included here in this set) there are at least 14 which are great masterpieces of tonal and melodic brillance and imagination and rank in greatness with the London Symphonies, (being however more expansive, spontaneous and joyful than the Symphonies), with the Late String Quartets (but more intimate and less intellectual), and with the last choral works. In some of them you can almost hear and see Haydn composing and inventing tonal progressions before your very eyes. The trios ( most of the early ones) which are not themselves in this category of masterpieces and which may seem like beautiful background music are very pleasant and lovely salon pieces all the same.
This set is a must have for any serious classical music lover. The playing is ravishing. It is the reference set for all these works. It won the Gramophone Record of the Year Award back in the late 1970's. This set and these works will guide you through a lifetime of musical discoveries with their divine magnificence and infinite inventiveness in sound.
Rating: - Simply glorious
Haydn's piano trios are still very much under-rated. The early works are all well worth listening to, and the later ones are unqualified masterpieces, with Haydn experimenting in all sorts of ways that he was reluctant to try with more public works. The Beaux Arts Trio were the first to give us this music, and although there are now more versions to choose from, they are still the tops. As well as showing a true understanding of 18th-century conventions, they bring an element of fantasy and wonder to the trios that later artists have missed. People talk of life-enhancing music: well, you've got it here.
Rating: - A box of polished gems
That Haydn is generally considered to have been 'superceded' by Mozart is one of life's great mysterys to me. There is a parallel universe in which I listen to this set exclusively and am probably a better and more contented person for it. The endless invention ensures that there are pieces here for every mood and occasion, and one could do far worse than be stuck on a desert island with nothing but these for company. I first made their acquaintance over three days, whilst up a ladder, painting the outside of my house. More recently they have been my accompaniment for the last three or four weeks, in the car, on the drive to and from work and I have found myself stretching out the journeys in order increase the time spent with them. None stand out because the Beaux Arts Trio ensures that each one is presented as an exquisitely polished gem in its own right, with every detail sparkling. Along with the Beethoven piano sonatas and quartets these have a very special place on my shelf.
Rating: - Absolute perfection
After working my way through Haydn's string quartets and piano sonatas, the next logical step was this box set which is, incredibly, the only complete set of the trios. It's a neglected part of the repertoire, like his equally fine piano sonatas.
I suppose the sheer quantity of Haydn's writing, and it's relative restraint when compared to the revolutionaries who followed in his wake, leads many (including my wife!) to dismiss his music as somehow "written by the yard". However, the great joy of the man is that once discovered and appreciated, there is a vast treasure trove of works to cherish - enough for a lifetime's pleasure.
That said, it is probably best to think of these pieces as duets for piano and violin with cello accompaniment - the cello part is really a doubling of the pianists left hand to add depth to the rather thin keyboards of the time. Not that that diminishes these works in any way.
The first half of the pieces are delightful, but the second half truly are mature works, and every one is a masterpiece. They deserve to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best from Mozart or Beethoven.
As for the playing and recording, they are superb in every way - even on first hearing the joy of the music-making is absolutely evident; and that is not something I would say for every Beaux Arts recording I own. Their versions of the Mozart trios feel crude by comparison.
This set is understandably highly regarded; listed as a Gramophone 'Top 100 Recording' and given 3-stars and a Rosette by the Penguin Guide. Thoroughly deserved too!
Rating: - Essential, glorious music
Haydn's piano trios show depths of inspiration unplumbed even by his symphonies and quartets. This is incredible music, impeccably interpreted, and reasonably priced for what you get.
- Magnificent interpretations of unduly neglected works These works for piano, violin and cello have been greatly neglected for various reasons. Starting with Robert Schumann's negative comments of Haydn, these works along with many other masterpieces of Haydn have suffered all through the 19th and 20th century from scholarly and performer's neglect. They include more than a dozen masterpieces, neglected basically because they were considerd to be simply accompanied piano sonatas or written in what was considered to have been an old-fashioned style, where the cello part reproduces the piano part( a carry-over of the basso-ostinato) or simply accompanies the piano part.Historically this is because in the time of Haydn the pianoforte was weak in the bass and needed reinforcing. And they have been neglected also partly because there is in many of them no real independence of the vocal lines between piano and violin. The reinforcing of the piano part by the cello did however give Haydn a more powerful piano with which his mind and imagination took flight and brought him to heights he never reached in any other of his works - sublime heights!
However of the 42 existent Haydn trios (there are 45 in total, 3 have been lost)(all 42 are included here in this set) there are at least 14 which are great masterpieces of tonal and melodic brillance and imagination and rank in greatness with the London Symphonies, (being however more expansive, spontaneous and joyful than the Symphonies), with the Late String Quartets (but more intimate and less intellectual), and with the last choral works. In some of them you can almost hear and see Haydn composing and inventing tonal progressions before your very eyes. The trios ( most of the early ones) which are not themselves in this category of masterpieces and which may seem like beautiful background music are very pleasant and lovely salon pieces all the same.
This set is a must have for any serious classical music lover. The playing is ravishing. It is the reference set for all these works. It won the Gramophone Record of the Year Award back in the late 1970's. This set and these works will guide you through a lifetime of musical discoveries with their divine magnificence and infinite inventiveness in sound.
Rating:
- Simply gloriousHaydn's piano trios are still very much under-rated. The early works are all well worth listening to, and the later ones are unqualified masterpieces, with Haydn experimenting in all sorts of ways that he was reluctant to try with more public works. The Beaux Arts Trio were the first to give us this music, and although there are now more versions to choose from, they are still the tops. As well as showing a true understanding of 18th-century conventions, they bring an element of fantasy and wonder to the trios that later artists have missed. People talk of life-enhancing music: well, you've got it here.
Rating:
- A box of polished gemsThat Haydn is generally considered to have been 'superceded' by Mozart is one of life's great mysterys to me. There is a parallel universe in which I listen to this set exclusively and am probably a better and more contented person for it. The endless invention ensures that there are pieces here for every mood and occasion, and one could do far worse than be stuck on a desert island with nothing but these for company. I first made their acquaintance over three days, whilst up a ladder, painting the outside of my house. More recently they have been my accompaniment for the last three or four weeks, in the car, on the drive to and from work and I have found myself stretching out the journeys in order increase the time spent with them. None stand out because the Beaux Arts Trio ensures that each one is presented as an exquisitely polished gem in its own right, with every detail sparkling. Along with the Beethoven piano sonatas and quartets these have a very special place on my shelf.
Rating:
- Absolute perfectionAfter working my way through Haydn's string quartets and piano sonatas, the next logical step was this box set which is, incredibly, the only complete set of the trios. It's a neglected part of the repertoire, like his equally fine piano sonatas.
I suppose the sheer quantity of Haydn's writing, and it's relative restraint when compared to the revolutionaries who followed in his wake, leads many (including my wife!) to dismiss his music as somehow "written by the yard". However, the great joy of the man is that once discovered and appreciated, there is a vast treasure trove of works to cherish - enough for a lifetime's pleasure.
That said, it is probably best to think of these pieces as duets for piano and violin with cello accompaniment - the cello part is really a doubling of the pianists left hand to add depth to the rather thin keyboards of the time. Not that that diminishes these works in any way.
The first half of the pieces are delightful, but the second half truly are mature works, and every one is a masterpiece. They deserve to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best from Mozart or Beethoven.
As for the playing and recording, they are superb in every way - even on first hearing the joy of the music-making is absolutely evident; and that is not something I would say for every Beaux Arts recording I own. Their versions of the Mozart trios feel crude by comparison.
This set is understandably highly regarded; listed as a Gramophone 'Top 100 Recording' and given 3-stars and a Rosette by the Penguin Guide. Thoroughly deserved too!
Rating:
- Essential, glorious musicHaydn's piano trios show depths of inspiration unplumbed even by his symphonies and quartets. This is incredible music, impeccably interpreted, and reasonably priced for what you get.