Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Vienna Piano Trio :: Beethoven: Piano Trios Op. 1 Nos. 2 & 3

Prime competition comes from star-studded groups like Sony's Isaac Stern-led Trio and another with Barenboim and Du Pré on EMI, but this young Viennese threesome hold their own with well-recorded, classically framed interpretations that prove fully competitive. As the opus number indicates, these are products of the young Beethoven, so don't expect the profundities of the late works. But even here, Beethoven was pushing conventional limits with works bolder and more technically demanding than those written for domestic performances by amateurs. The Vienna Piano Trio walks the fine line between straight-laced classicism and anachronistic emotionalism. In their hands, the works are full of beautifully sung melodies, lightning interplay among the instruments, and lyric poetry in the expressive slow movements. Their earlier recording of early Beethoven trios was as successful; the group has the style down pat, and you can't go wrong with this one. --Dan Davis