This is the kind of delightful surprise we reviewers
are always waiting for. I have pretty entrenched favorite recordings
of Dvořák’s “Dumky” trio, in the Guarneri
Trio Prague and Suk Trio, but this recording by the Trio Solisti actually
earns a place in that company. They bring irresistible passion and a
myriad delightful little touches: the urgency with which the piece begins,
Jon Klibonoff’s staccato piano playing in certain passages of
dumka number four, rubato which allows cellist Alexis Pia Gerlach to
tease and tug on the melodies, the rustic violin of Maria Bachmann all
through the finale. At 3:20 they’re just too good. This trio knows
how to use pauses to great effect, and the differences in pacing between
each of the dumka’s sections are perfectly judged.
The performance of the more Brahmsian third trio is very good too, at
its best in the least Brahmsy of the movements, the scherzo. These are
extraordinary, impassioned performers, all of whom could probably pursue
solo careers - living up to the group’s name - and who already
have an impressive track record on disc (Moravec/Naxos:
8559323
and
8559698;
Americans in Rome
Bridge
9271, Cafe Music on
Bridge
9296). Throw in great booklet notes by Malcolm McDonald and really
vivid, emphatic sound that puts the artists in close-up without getting
claustrophobic, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a disc. Welcomed
without the slightest quibble.
Brian Reinhart
