Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Trio No. 1 in Eb major, Op. 1 No. 1 [28:39]
Piano Trio No. 2 in G major, Op. 1 No. 2 [34:17]
Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor, Op. 1 No. 3 [26:41]
Piano Trio No. 5 in D major, Op. 70 No. 1 'The Ghost' [27:39]
Piano Trio No. 6 in E flat Major, Op. 70 No. 2 [29:26]
Piano Trio No. 7 in B flat Major, Op. 97 'Archduke' [42:34]
Trio Sōra
rec. October 2019, March and July 2020, La-Choux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
NAÏVE V7085 [3 CDs: 189:31]
For a young ensemble to choose Beethoven’s six piano trios with opus numbers as their first recording shows bravery, especially in this auspicious year for the composer, with so many new and reissued accounts of his music available. It also makes a bold statement of intent by the Trio Sōra, which works well for me and is a release I am happy to make my final Beethoven review of this, his anniversary year.
I have a few recordings of the piano trios, but nowhere near as many as the string quartets. They are, as one might say, the ‘usual suspects’: the Beaux Arts Trio version for Decca (468 411-2) sitting alongside the likes of the wonderful Guarneri Trio Prague recording (PRD 350 011) and the Trio Lalique (95510), each offering a lot more music that the Trio Sōra. Add to these the single disc options, including the stunning performance of Nos. 6 and 7 by Isabelle Faust, Jean-Guihen Queyras and Alexander Melnikov, who performs on a well-toned Graff fortepiano, and I must have at least a set or two – but this new set stands up well by comparison.
Only offering these six trios puts this three CD set at a distinct disadvantage but for a first venture on to disc, this is a persuasive performance, which belies their age and shows great skill and sense of ensemble. From the very opening of Op. 1, No. 1 it is clear that the Trio Sōra bring a sense of clarity and panache to their interpretation of Beethoven, emphasising the joy in the music which clearly announced the composer to the musical élite of Vienna.
The second disc, opening with the final of the Op. 1 Trios, occupies a slightly different sound world. Here we have Beethoven exploring the Sturm und Drang ideal popular during the period. The Trio Sōra show that they are as adept in conveying this more emotional content as they are the joy of the first two trios of the set. This is followed by a glorious rendition of the famous ‘Ghost’ Trio Op. 70, No. 1. Dating from some thirteen years after the Op. 1, this Trio shows a greater maturity and intensity. Although the Trio Sōra brings out those qualities well, the more nuanced performance of the Guarneri Trio Prague gives their performance the edge over this young trio.
The final disc of this set offers the listener a nice performance of the E flat Op. 70, No. 2, a spirited and at times noble work which does not, in my opinion, get the praise it deserves. The clarity and balance of the Trio Sōra’s performance really does this wonderful music and Beethoven justice. However, it is in the B flat Trio Op. 97 where the Trio Sōra’s performance slightly shows their youth, in an impetuous performance of the famous ‘Archduke’. Here, Faust, Queyras and Melnikov lead the way with an imperious performance and they are equally as good in in the E flat Trio, too. While I know that the fortepiano is not to everyone’s taste, I do wish they would go on to record the rest of the trios. Once again, it is the Guarneri Trio Prague who have the edge in modern piano performances and they slightly pip the Beaux Arts Trio, as well. The Trio Sōra give a good strong performance of the ‘Archduke’, which I would be happy with if I didn’t have any other performance; it is just that those other trios mentioned offer slightly more nuanced performances, especially in the third movement Andante cantabile ma però con moto.
This is an excellent introduction to the Trio Sōra, in which they do Beethoven justice and offering a strong performance, and even when that is not quite enough, their commitment to the music is commendable. The booklet notes are very good, as is the recorded sound, which helps bring out the clarity of the Trio Sōra’s playing. These are clearly three musicians to watch and I eagerly await what they turn their hands to next. Despite slight reservations about the ‘Archduke’, this is a worthy set with which to bring my Beethoven year to a conclusion.
Stuart Sillitoe
Performers: Pauline Chenais (piano), Clémence de Forceville (violin),
Angèle Legasa (cello)
