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Schumann: Piano Trios, Vol. 2 / Kungsbacka Piano Trio
BIS

Schumann: Piano Trios, Vol. 2 / Kungsbacka Piano Trio

$21.99

Details

Composer
Robert Schumann
Artist
Kungsbacka Piano Trio
Format
SACD
Label
BIS
Released
Jun 02, 2023
Catalog #
BIS-2477
UPC
7318599924779

About

After its first album devoted to Schumann’s first two piano trios, the Kungsbacka Piano Trio now presents the conclusion of this series with the Piano Trio No. 3 in G minor, to which they add the Six Studies in Canonic Form, originally for pedal piano and performed here in an arrangement for piano trio, and an early work, the Quartet in C minor for violin, viola, cello and piano, which was only published in 1979. Composed in 1851, the third Piano Trio achieves the tonal balance Schumann was aiming for with an utmost independence of the three instruments while having ‘obsessive impulses’ running through it, to quote pianist Simon Crawford-Phillips. The Six Studies in Canonic Form that follow appear as small contrapuntal jewels that testify to Robert Schumann’s keen interest in Johann Sebastian Bach’s Preludes and Fugues. Finally, the Quartet composed when Schumann was 18 reveals a wildly creative mind at work, inspired in turn by Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Chopin. Yet, despite these influences, one perceives a distinctive voice that reveals the obsessive qualities that would characterise Schumann’s later works. “A thrilling ride for performer and listener”, promises Crawford-Phillips.

REVIEW:

In Schumann’s Piano Trio 3 in G minor, the Kungsbacka Trio is precise and spry for the entire 26 minutes, and the sound quality is pristine. These musicians find an elegance in the composer that other artists sometimes miss.

The 6 Studies in Canonical Form appear here in their transcription for trio by Theodor Kirchner. The quality is high, but just a few might have sufficed.

The Piano Quartet in C minor is from 1829, making it one of Schumann’s very first attempts at composition. He never finished the piano parts, and so they are completed here by musicologist Joachim Draheim. The Minuet is especially lighthearted, with pianist Simon Crawford-Phillips leading the way. At 33 minutes, this piece is a bit long, with many mercurial shifts of mood and dynamics. Still, this is an impressive album, a happy meeting of performers and material.

-- American Record Guide

Tracklist 14 tracks

  1. 1 I. Bewegt, doch nicht zu rasch 09:10
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Bewegt, doch nicht zu rasch
    Duration
    09:10
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  2. 2 II. Ziemlich langsam 05:30
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Ziemlich langsam
    Duration
    05:30
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  3. 3 III. Rasch 04:06
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Rasch
    Duration
    04:06
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  4. 4 IV. Kräftig, mit Humor 07:14
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Kräftig, mit Humor
    Duration
    07:14
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  5. 5 No. 1 in C Major: Nicht zu schnell 01:53
    Track
    5
    Title
    No. 1 in C Major: Nicht zu schnell
    Duration
    01:53
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  6. 6 No. 2 in A Minor: Mit innigem Ausdruck 04:06
    Track
    6
    Title
    No. 2 in A Minor: Mit innigem Ausdruck
    Duration
    04:06
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  7. 7 No. 3 in E Major: Andantino - Etwas schneller 01:39
    Track
    7
    Title
    No. 3 in E Major: Andantino - Etwas schneller
    Duration
    01:39
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  8. 8 No. 4 in A-Flat Major: Innig 03:24
    Track
    8
    Title
    No. 4 in A-Flat Major: Innig
    Duration
    03:24
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  9. 9 No. 5 in B Minor: Nicht zu schnell 02:16
    Track
    9
    Title
    No. 5 in B Minor: Nicht zu schnell
    Duration
    02:16
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  10. 10 No. 6 in B Major: Adagio 03:34
    Track
    10
    Title
    No. 6 in B Major: Adagio
    Duration
    03:34
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  11. 11 I. Allegro molto affettuoso 13:45
    Track
    11
    Title
    I. Allegro molto affettuoso
    Duration
    13:45
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Performer
    Lawrence Power
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  12. 12 II. Menuetto: Presto 04:53
    Track
    12
    Title
    II. Menuetto: Presto
    Duration
    04:53
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Performer
    Lawrence Power
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  13. 13 III. Andante 06:23
    Track
    13
    Title
    III. Andante
    Duration
    06:23
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Performer
    Lawrence Power
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio
  14. 14 IV. Allegro giusto. Presto 08:02
    Track
    14
    Title
    IV. Allegro giusto. Presto
    Duration
    08:02
    Composer
    Robert Schumann
    Performer
    Lawrence Power
    Ensemble
    Kungsbacka Piano Trio