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Comparing the two period instrument recordings I could locate, it is soon apparent that the Trio Ricercar (Ricercar (label) Qobuz lossless) have a sweeter, warmer sonority, and a more expressive approach to phrase and dynamics. But this is still a beautifully restrained and delicate account.
L’Archibudelli (Sony Vivarte CD) also draw a fine balance between restraint and expressive poise, but I came to feel their passagework, especially in quicker music and at slightly faster tempi, too often sounded perfunctory. A little too much of “the notes, just the notes”…
The Ricercars take all repeats in the first two movements (including the 2ndhalf 1st Movement repeat) so their timings are considerably longer than L’Archibudelli in those. (If you love the music as much as I do you may consider that no bad thing at all…)…
By the time we reach the finale… (what an extraordinary piece…reminds me of Robbins Landon's description of the finale to the Clarinet Concerto “the heart dances, but not for joy”…cf. also the finale to K595).
…so, by the time we reach the finale, that more subtly pointed and shaped character of the Trio Ricercar’s playing is more telling still. A really lovely performance, of whatever instrumental vintage. L’Archibudelli have plenty going for them - delicate and elegant and very consistent, with fine solo playing from viola and cello - but one misses the tonal allure of the Ricercars. They give the music more space to breathe, and above all offer that subtle, expressive and dynamic light-and-shade.
But this masterpiece always remains elusive, doesn't it? Just out of reach, no matter how often....so you keep returning, moth to the flame.....
(Thanks to RichardB for the Trio Ricercar reference - I didn't know it before. )
Might try the Leopolds (Hyperion CD, not streamable) next…Last edited by jayne lee wilson; 13-11-21, 18:51.Comment
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One I’ll be missing.Don’t cry for me
I go where music was born
J S Bach 1685-1750Comment
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Noted - but it really is a lovely piece. Not sure if you could sensibly arrange it for brass .... Best wishes .....Originally posted by BBMmk2 View PostComment
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Coming back to the Grumiaux Trio after some time - some years - one is immediately struck by just how vibrato-rich it is, largely due to the violinist, Grumiaux himself. This still a fine performance, with the necessary restraint the subliminal tragic expression of the work needs to be truthful to its delicate balance. But...but.... to me this vibrato does seem a little too prevalent here, rather dominating the sound-palette. Very violinist-led. As one listens through the piece, it feels too reductive of the musical contrasts.
Especially after the very-hard-to-fault Leopold Trio, who seem to find the perfect modern-instrument balance (and are beautifully recorded), the Grumiauxs can sound just a trifle quaint because of the violin sound.
I'm not surprised some listeners will love it, and durably. "If you love that sort of thing, then that is...etc". But do try to place it in a larger perspective, either with the Trio Ricercar (period instrument) or the Leopolds.
There is a hi-res/SACD BIS with the Trio Zimmerman of K563.... I'll probably look at that next..
(Incidentally, take a look at Beethoven's Op.3 Trio as a creative consequence...)......Last edited by jayne lee wilson; 14-11-21, 17:17.Comment
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BumpComment
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This reviewer is good…Comment
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Roger Parker - famous Verdi scholar . Old school BAL presenter of long-standing. I thought it was probably one of the best new format BALs I have ever heard.Originally posted by Alison View PostComment
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A most enjoyable - and instructive - 45 minutes. Sublime music, IMUO (ah, BBM, you simply don't know what you are missing). I have the Grumiaux (it is, inter alia, in the big Mozart 225 box) so was pleased to find a cheapish used copy of the winner on Amazon.Comment
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Ah well, I suppose the Grumiaux had to fall off the BAL top perch sometime
But not off my shelves - was slightly put off the Zimmermann by a hint of 'small string orchestra' sound quality, something I'm probably unduly fussy about - a balance that softens the feeling of individual bits of thin wire being stoked by fine horsehair. When I need a change from Grumiaux I also have Archibudelli, very enjoyable even if it didn't make the final cut.
I keep hitting the Escape key, but I'm still here!Comment
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Exactly - a paradox of expression in every movement. Dancing on the edge of the abyss, or a grimace behind every suave gesture. Any trio that plays with just one emotion at any one time (and many do) seems IMHO to be missing the point.Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post
I like the way Ricercar kept finding new things to say. They seemed to be mic'ed too closely, making them seem slightly rough (but it could be my speakers or ears, which are both degenerating somewhat).
(Does anyone know what is the picture on the front of the green Grumiaux CD/LP? It looks like flooded fields - another paradox.)Comment
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