Brahms Piano Trios

[Guest]

Prompted by the recent BaL on String Quintet no. 1, and hearing a snatch of a lunchtime concert a few days ago, I've been listening again to the Beaux Arts Trio (on the Philips Duo complete trios set). It seems that it is the only recording I have, although I have numerous other Brahms chamber music recordings. Any recent recommendations from the Brahmsians among us?
(Feel free to combine this with another thread if one exists).

[richardfinegold]

Prompted by the recent BaL on String Quintet no. 1, and hearing a snatch of a lunchtime concert a few days ago, I've been listening again to the Beaux Arts Trio (on the Philips Duo complete trios set). It seems that it is the only recording I have, although I have numerous other Brahms chamber music recordings. Any recent recommendations from the Brahmsians among us?
(Feel free to combine this with another thread if one exists).

The Suk Trio, on Supraphon

[Barbirollians]

Not recent but Suk/Katchen/Starker still for me.

[Serial_Apologist]

The Suk Trio, on Supraphon

Suk and ye shall find.

[jayne lee wilson]

The Trio Wanderer are a great modern-instrument recommend for these works, as they have also recorded the essential-listening original 1854 version of Op.8 c/w with OP.60......

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=trio+wanderer+brahms&i=popular&ref=nb_sb_noss

La Gaia Scienza released a 1991 period instrument disc on Nuova Era of both the 1854 and 1889 versions of Op.8 and they are the best I ever heard for both.....
Brahms Chamber Music with Piano usually balances far better with early pianos. (But the Wanderers do well with this despite etc., as Vincent Coq is a very subtle, listening & responding pianist).

But - Caveat. Of the 4 CD players I tried, one with an older TEAC-design transport had some mis-tracking on both copies of the Gaia Scienza disc I have. But if your player has a Marantz/Philips-type Transport & not too vintage, it should be OK. My mini-Tivoli was OK with it.

But it has become very rare now; can't even find it to link to..... If you can find it or stream it....well, take the gamble..... wonderful album.

****
If you like adventures, just buy or stream this.... its glorious!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006LYJEDI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/johannes-brahms-sinfonia-in-b-original-1853-version-of-trio-op8-malmo-opera-orchestra-joseph-swensen/0886788331594

[rauschwerk]

Any decent pianist can avoid balance problems in these pieces, whether it be Pressler (Beaux Arts), Susan Tomes (Florestan) or Previn (with Mullova and Schiff in Op. 8). I highly recommend the Florestan set of all the trios (Hyperion 2014). Their musicianship is consistently very fine.

[jayne lee wilson]

Any decent pianist can avoid balance problems in these pieces, whether it be Pressler (Beaux Arts), Susan Tomes (Florestan) or Previn (with Mullova and Schiff in Op. 8). I highly recommend the Florestan set of all the trios (Hyperion 2014). Their musicianship is consistently very fine.

Well, personally I'd prefer something a little better than decent....which Vincent Coq and Federica Valli certainly are - great artists in themselves, they listen and prompt and respond to their Trio players, and move, sway, blend and contrast freely with and within them. That compelling sense of creative dialogue is there, because.....it dont mean a thing if it aint got that swing...

Early pianos bring very special sounds and unique insights into Brahms Chamber Music, as the relatively scarce recordings show very clearly and enjoyably (Federica Valli uses an 1853 Erard); this goes far beyond the earnest attempts of decent players on Steinway Ds to find a workable balance (but older, Vintage Steinway models can be better)..
Try Ironwood on ABC Classics in the Op.25 and Op.34 (Neal Perez da Costa, McNulty/Streicher replica of Brahms' own 1868 Model), as stunning a Brahms record as I ever heard.

[rauschwerk]

Jayne, I would be mortified if anyone thought I was implying that Pressler, Tomes and Previn were merely 'decent' pianists - they are/were master musicians! They, too, "listen and prompt and respond to their Trio players, and move, sway, blend and contrast freely with and within them."

[jayne lee wilson]

Jayne, I would be mortified if anyone thought I was implying that Pressler, Tomes and Previn were merely 'decent' pianists - they are/were master musicians! They, too, "listen and prompt and respond to their Trio players, and move, sway, blend and contrast freely with and within them."

Great to hear; I do admire the Florestans usually - haven't heard this Brahms one. But if you love this rep, you really should hear the Trio Wanderer.....(La Gaia Scienza in OP.8 seems all-but unavailable, but do seek out Ironwood - oh, caveat: if you can't bear slides - portamento - tread carefully...Ironwood love them )...

[rauschwerk]

Great to hear; I do admire the Florestans usually - haven't heard this Brahms one. But if you love this rep, you really should hear the Trio Wanderer.....(La Gaia Scienza in OP.8 seems all-but unavailable, but do seek out Ironwood - oh, caveat: if you can't bear slides - portamento - tread carefully...Ironwood love them )...

Well, I'm certainly an admirer of Trio Wanderer on the basis of their Schubert/Hummal Quintets disc. As for lots of portamento, I'm tempted to take a rain check, thanks.

[Barbirollians]

Ironwood’s Farrenc disc was excellent.