Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Eroica Trio's recording career has been cleverly managed, starting with three albums of relatively lightweight, very well played music before finally arriving at major repertory. Tackling these two Brahms masterpieces, the Eroica proves thoroughly up to the task. They handle Brahms's difficult writing with confidence (especially the tricky syncopations), and they can produce large climaxes to compete with the best ensembles. They also capture the rapt, inward quality of Brahms's slow movements (the third of the First Trio, the second of the Second Trio) in a most moving manner, trusting the listeners' attention to hear the meaning in such subtle music. Even the packaging of this disc is more subdued than on previous Eroica CDs, although the group's characteristic poplike liveliness comes out in the charming encores. In discussing Brahms Trio recordings, one has to mention one of the best buys in the current CD catalog, a three-disc set with all the Brahms Trios and three other romantic masterpieces superbly played by the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. But for excellent performances of these two trios, the Eroica CD is certainly worth considering. --Leslie Gerber

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2, Music, Eroica Trio, Johannes Brahms, Chamber, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Keyboard, Music for Four Hands at One Keyboard, Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard, Trio for Keyboard and Two String Instruments, Vocal

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1, 2 & 3; Piano Quartets Nos. 1, 2 & 3
Average customer rating:

This is TRUE chamber music

Gorgeous music, great performance

Brilliant Recording, Excellent Deal

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1, 2 & 3; Piano Quartets Nos. 1, 2 & 3

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Stern, Isaac | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Op. 49 & Op. 66

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Schumann: Complete Piano Trios

ASIN: B000002A8T
Release Date: 1995-12-05

Tracks:

Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: I. Allegro Con Brio - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: II. Scherzo. Allegro Molto - Trio. Meno Allegro - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: III. Adagio - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: IV. Finale. Allegro - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: I. Allegro - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: II. Adante Con Moto - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: III. Scherzo. Presto - Poco Meno Presto - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: IV. Finale. Allegro Giocoso - J. Brahms

Tracks:

Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: I. Allegro Energico - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: II. Presto Non Assai - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: III. Andante Grazioso - J. Brahms
Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: IV. Allegro Molto - J. Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: I. Allegro Non Troppo - J. Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: II. Poco Adagio - J. Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: III. Scherzo. Poco Allegro - Trio - J. Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: IV. Finale. Allegro - J. Brahms

Tracks:

Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: I. Allegro - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: II. Intermezzo. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Trio. Animato - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: III. Andante Con Moto - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: IV. Rondo All Zingarese. Presto - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: I. Allegro Non Troppo - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: II. Scherzo. Allegro - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: III. Andante - Brahms
Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: IV. Finale. Allegro Comodo - Brahms

Customer Reviews:

This is TRUE chamber music.......2005-10-18

These CD's contain some of the best chamber music ever recorded.
Each member of the ensemble seems to fit in without ever dominating.

If you want to hear how chamber music should be played - get these discs!

Gorgeous music, great performance.......2003-05-13

This is one of my favorite CD's. Excellent musicianship and sound quality are a bonus. The real draw to this cd, however, is the passionate interpretation the music. They really capture the emotion behind Brahms' music. I would recommend this to anyone who likes chamber music.

Brilliant Recording, Excellent Deal.......2000-04-19

This album is by far the most crisply recorded, lusciously played, and reasonably priced of all recordings of Brahms' chamber music. There is a 2-CD version with just the quartets for marginally less, but this is the one to get. There's plenty written about the recent Ma, Stern, Laredo, Ax effort (hard not to, considering that cast), which won Gramophone Magazine's best chamber album of the year. The trios are of equally fine quality (Stern is just as luminous in this much earlier performance), in rich, dark analogue sound, and make a superb offer in and of themselves. When coupled with the quartets for roughly the same price. . .? You really can't go wrong. A must buy.

Average customer rating:

HEARTBREAKING, BREATHTAKING BRAHMS
Difficult Music Handled Exqusitiely

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2
Eroica Trio , and Johannes Brahms
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Beethoven: Favourite Piano Sonatas

ASIN: B00005V5PS
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8: Allegro con brio
Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8: Scherzo: Allegro molto
Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8: Adagio
Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8: Allegro
Trio No. 2 in C major, Op. 87: Allegro-animato
Trio No. 2 in C major, Op. 87: Andante con moto
Trio No. 2 in C major, Op. 87: Scherzo-Presto
Trio No. 2 in C major, Op. 87: Finale-Allegro giocoso
Hungarian Dance No. 6 in D major
Wiegenlied, Op. 49

Amazon.com

The Eroica Trio's recording career has been cleverly managed, starting with three albums of relatively lightweight, very well played music before finally arriving at major repertory. Tackling these two Brahms masterpieces, the Eroica proves thoroughly up to the task. They handle Brahms's difficult writing with confidence (especially the tricky syncopations), and they can produce large climaxes to compete with the best ensembles. They also capture the rapt, inward quality of Brahms's slow movements (the third of the First Trio, the second of the Second Trio) in a most moving manner, trusting the listeners' attention to hear the meaning in such subtle music. Even the packaging of this disc is more subdued than on previous Eroica CDs, although the group's characteristic poplike liveliness comes out in the charming encores. In discussing Brahms Trio recordings, one has to mention one of the best buys in the current CD catalog, a three-disc set with all the Brahms Trios and three other romantic masterpieces superbly played by the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. But for excellent performances of these two trios, the Eroica CD is certainly worth considering. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

HEARTBREAKING, BREATHTAKING BRAHMS.......2003-06-26

Not since Nigel Kennedy's recording of the Brahms Violin Concerto have I been moved to tears by a performance. The Eroica Trio, living up to its name, is truly "heroic" in its fearless, unabashed, resounding romantic fervor, heady emotional sweep, exceptional inspiration, and excruciatingly beautiful Brahmsian vision. The ladies who comprise The Eroica Trio are more than simply extraordinary musicians: they are seekers, searchers, and intuitives. They would have to be. Playing Brahms like this requires the rarest exploratory nature, the willingness to probe at the deepest possible levels, and the courage to commit to your beliefs. No mere coincidence, then, that this present set of Brahms' first two piano trios is, because of the phenomenal artistry of these women, the sound world given them, and the immense epiphany of it all, absolutely quintessential listening, and for me, ranks as the very best versions now available.

[Running time: 64:31]

Difficult Music Handled Exqusitiely.......2002-03-08

I enjoy the variety of moods and subtle synocpations in this music of Brahms.

Enjoying this genre of chamber music greatly, this is a worthy addition. From the soothing flowing piano and violin of the opening tract: Trio No. 1 to the closing familiar "Lullaby," this music adorns one's ears with a pleasing sound.

The Trio No.1 in B Major has a major/minor dichotomy going, while the strings and piano trade spurts of the passage.

Especially wonderful is the opening violin/cello movement of the Trio No. 2 in C Major, which sounds very much like a sonata, building in its intensity to a sensational ending coda.

Tracks:

The Four Seasons: Concerto No. 1 In E Major 'Spring,' I. Allegro
Overture No. 3 BWV 1068: Air
Water Music: Alla Hornpipe
Orpheus and Eurrdice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits
Piano Sonata In A Major K. 331: Alla turca
Symphonie No. 3: Allegretto
String Serenade: Waltz
Foreign Countries And People op. 15 No. 1
Flute Concerto No. 1 In G Major, K. 313: Rondo. Tempo di Minuett
Piano Concerto No. 2 In F Minor Op. 21: Larghetto
Quintet In A Major 'Trout': Theme & Variations
Waltz In A Flat Major
Impromptu In G Flat Major D 899,3
Sinfonia concertante In E Flat Major K 364: Presto

Tracks:

Voices Of Spring Waltz Op. 410
Serenade Op. 3 No. 5
Songs Without Words In E Major Op. 19,1
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major K. 447: Allegro
Fausts Verdammnis: Dances Of The Sylphes
Flute Concerto In G minor
Salomon: Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
Piano Concerto No. 23 In A Major K 488: Andante
Holberg Suite Op. 40: Prelude
Carmen: Intermezzo
String Serenade op. 22: Tempo di valse
Impromptu In B Flat Major D 935 No. 3
I Love You Op. 5 No. 3
Roses From The South, Waltz Op. 388

Tracks:

Peer Gynt: Morning
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarole
Melody In F, Op. 3 Nr. 1
The Nutcracker: Waltz Of The Flowers
Standchen
Etude In G Sharp Minor 'La Campanella'
Peer Gynt: Anitras Dance
Moment Musical D 780 No. 3
Canon In D
Overture No. 2: Menuet & Badinerie
Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major: Andante
Carmen: Seguedille
'Songs without Words': The Venetian Gondola
Eugen Onegin: Waltz
Romance For Violin And Orchestra In G major Op. 26

Tracks:

Die Fledermaus: Overture
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Waltz No. 1 Op. 18 In E flat major 'Grande Valse brillante'
Lullaby
L'Arlesienne: Intermezzo
The Seasons Op. 37b: Barcarole
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Fairies' March
Clarinet Concerto In A Major K 622: Adagio
The Sleeping Beauty: Waltz
La Traviata: Prelude
Carmen, Suite No. 2: Chanson du Toreador
Happy Farmer
Menuet
On The Beautiful Blue Danube, Waltz Op. 314

Tracks:

A Little Night Music K 525: Allegro
Sonata No. 2 In E Major BWV 1031: Siciliano
Op. 11 No. 5: Menuet
Songs Without Words: Duetto
The Nutcracker: Dance of the Toy Flutes
Fruhlingslied (Spring Song)
Waldszenen: Abschied
Mandolin Concerto: Allegro
Music For The Royal Fireworks: La paix: Largo alla Siciliana
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Allegro
Waltz In B Minor Op. 69 No. 2
Romance Op. 5
Impromptu In A Flat Major D 935 Nr. 2
Tales from the Vienna Woods, Waltz Op. 325

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Humoresque Op. 101
Sleeping Beautiful: Panorama
Impromptu In E Flat Major, D899 No. 2
Melancholy
Waltz Op. 54,1
Nocturne In B Major Op. 9 No. 3
Caro mio ben
PARTITA IN D FLAT MAJOR: Pastorale
An den Fruhling
The Sleeping Beauty: Pas de quatre, Adagio
Rosamunde - Ballet In G Major
Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor Op. 37: Largo
Emperor Waltz, op. 437

Tracks:

Harp Concerto In B Flat Major: Andante allegro
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Adagio
Flute Concerto In F Major, Op. 10 'La Tempesta di Mare': Presto
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor Op. 13 'Pathetique': Adagio cantabile
Horn Concerto In E Flat Major K 495: Rondo. Allegro vivace
Poeme Op. 41 No. 6
Wilhelm Tell: Soldier's Dance
Liebestraum No. 3 In A flat Major
Violin Romance No. 2
Flute Concerto In E Minor: Rondo
Intermezzo In E Flat Major Op. 117,1
Carmen: Habenera
Symphony No. 3 'Scottish': Vivace non troppo
Vienna Bonbons: Waltz Op. 307

Tracks:

Symphony No. 40 In G Minor K. 550: Molto Allegro
Preghiera - Mozarianna Suite: Ave Verum
Arietta Op. 12,1
Concerto BWV 1056: Arioso
The Four Seasons: Concerto Nr. 3 Autumn: Allegro
Des Abends (Evening)
Holberg Suite Op. 40: Gavotte
Melancholy Galliard
Flute Concerto No. 2 In D Major K. 314: Rondo. Allegretto
Spinning Song
Orchestral Suite No. 3: Valse Melancolique
Flute Quartet K. 285a: Tempo di Minuetto
Moment Musical In A Flat Major, D 780 No. 2
Piano Concerto No. 9 In E Flat Major K 271 'Jeunehomme': Rondo - Presto

Tracks:

String Serenade: Moderato
Traumerei Op. 15
Ave Maria
Cello Concerto No. 2 In D Major: Allegro
Minuet In D Minor
Suite No. 1: Marche Miniature
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Notturno
Mazurka In D Major Op. 33 No. 2
Divertimento K 251: Andantino
On Wings Of A Song
Carmen: Nocturne
Melody
Sonata In C Major BWV 1033: Allegro
Symphony No. 1 In G Minor 'Winter Dreams': Adagio cantabile
Sound Of The Spheres, Waltz Op. 235

Tracks:

The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture
Sonata In C sharp Minor Op. 27,2 'Moonlight Sonata': Adagio sostenuto
German Dance No. 1
Nocturne In C Sharp Minor Op.posth.
Haffner Serenade: Minuet
Septet In E Flat Major Op. 20: Tempo di Minuetto
Symphony No. 4 Italian: Andante con moto
Prelude In D Flat Major Op. 28, No. 15 'Rain Drops'
'3 Small Pieces': Impromptu
'The Nutcracker': March
Romance In E Flat Major Op. 44
Piano Sonata No. 16 In C Major 'Sonata facile': Allegro
'The Nutcracker': Scene No. 10
Enjoy Your Life Waltz, Op. 340

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1 - 3, Cello Sonata No.2

Average customer rating:

The Standard for the Brahms Piano Trios

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1 - 3, Cello Sonata No.2
Katchen , Suk , and Starker
Manufacturer: Decca/Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Brahms: The Violin Sonatas

ASIN: B0000264ZX
Release Date: 1997-03-10

Tracks:

Piano Trio No.1 In B Major- I. Allegro Con Brio
Ii. Scherzo- Allegro Molto- Meno Allegro
Iii. Adagio
Iv. Allegro
Piano Trio No.2 In C Major- I. Allegro
Ii. Andante Con Moto
Iii. Scherzo Presto- Poco Meno Presto
Iv. Finale- Allegro Giocoso
Piano Trio No. 3 In C Minor- I. Allegro Energico
Ii. Presto Non Assai
Iii. Andante Grazioso
Iv. Allegro Molto
Cello Sonata No.2 In F Major- I. Allegro Vivace
Ii. Adagio Affettuoso
Iii. Allegro Passionato
Iv. Allegro Molto
Scherzo For Violin And Piano In C Minor

Customer Reviews:

The Standard for the Brahms Piano Trios.......2007-06-26

I purchased the first disc of this two-disc collection many years ago after falling in love with the Brahms Violin Sonatas played by Suk and Katchen. Many years later, I needed to replace the disc and searched far and wide for it. I finally found it on the UK amazon site and have gladly added it back into my collection.

Although the Suk/Katchen duo was eventually superseded by other artists for my first choice of recordings of the Brahms Violin Sonatas, I have not yet found a more satisfying account of the Brahms Piano Trios. I am aware that the Penguin Guide prefers the recording by Trio Fontenay -- and they boast a better stereo acoustic -- but this warm, originally analog, recording serves to enhance the sense of an intimate encounter with this lovingly-played chamber music. The artists are expertly balanced and they all play with commitment and a unified musical vision. I particularly enjoy Janos Starker's contribution to the Op. 8 trio.

I have never quite warmed to the second disc in this set the way that I have to the first. It is great to have the third trio, though it is less initially appealing than the first two trios. The Cello Sonata No. 2 and Scherzo for Violin and Piano (from the F-A-E Sonata) are reasonable fillers, though one is aware of their role as fillers (why not have the first Cello Sonata?). Janos Starker recorded both Cello Sonatas on RCA with Rudolf Buchbinder in a later recording that is superior to this account both musically and acoustically, and one has the benefit of having both the cello sonatas.

Still, one cannot today obtain the first disc outside this compilation, and the first disc deserves five stars, so I won't hold back from giving it my highest recommendation.

Brahms - Piano Trios NOS. 1 & 2 (KV. 496 & KV. 502 · Divertimento KV 254 / Maria Pires · Augustin Dumay · Jian Wang)

Average customer rating:

The Best

Brahms - Piano Trios NOS. 1 & 2 (KV. 496 & KV. 502 · Divertimento KV 254 / Maria Pires · Augustin Dumay · Jian Wang)
Johannes Brahms , Maria João Pires , and Jian Wang Augustin Dumay
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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Maria João Pires ~ Bach - Partita No. 1 · English Suite No. 3 · French Suite No. 2

ASIN: B0000012WB
Release Date: 1996-02-01

Tracks:

Trio For Piano, Violin And Violoncello No. 1 In B Maj., Op 8- Allegro Con Brio
Trio For Piano, Violin And Violoncello No. 1 In B Maj., Op 8- Scherzo- Allegro Molto
Trio For Piano, Violin And Violoncello No. 1 In B Maj., Op 8- Adagio
Trio For Piano, Violin And Violoncello No. 1 In B Maj., Op 8- Finale- Allegro
Trio For Piano, Violin And Violoncello No. 2 In C Maj., Op 87- Allegro
Trio For Piano, Violin And Violoncello No. 2 In C Maj., Op 87- Andante Con Moto
Trio For Piano, Violin And Violoncello No. 2 In C Maj., Op 87- Scherzo- Presto
Trio For Piano, Violin And Violoncello No. 2 In C Maj., Op 87- Finale- Allegro Giocoso

Customer Reviews:

The Best.......2007-04-01

These Brahms masterpieces come alive under the hands of these performers. They have discovered the key to the trios' musical mysteries. Particularly compelling is the performance of the pianist, Maria Joao Pires. Full of interpretive detail that illuminates Brahm's style in a wonderful way, this CD is at the top of my list of favorite Brahms recordings.

Average customer rating:

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2
Harden , Stucke , Schmidt , and Trio Fontenay
Manufacturer: Apex
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 3 & 4
Johannes Brahms: String Sextet Nos. 1 & 2

ASIN: B0001BROHA
Release Date: 2006-05-24

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2 [Germany]

Average customer rating:

Lush, old-fashioned and very enjoyable

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2 [Germany]
Brahms , Katchen , Suk , and Starker
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000E3OR
Release Date: 1988-06-27

Tracks:

Trio Op. 8, Mvmt 1- Allegro Con Brio
Trio Op. 8, Mvmt 2- Scherzo- Allegro Molto - Meno Allegro
Trio Op. 8, Mvmt 3- Adagio
Trio Op. 8, Mvmt 4- Allegro
Trio Op. 87, Mvmt 1- Allegro
Trio Op. 87, Mvmt 2- Andante Con Moto-
Trio Op. 87, Mvmt 3- Scherzo- Presto - Poco Meno Presto
Trio Op. 87, Mvmt 4- Finale- Allegro Giocoso

Customer Reviews:

Lush, old-fashioned and very enjoyable.......2007-04-23

In the age of Argerich, who brings tightrope-walker tension to chamber music, I doubt that anyone plays the Brahms piano trios with the kind of mellow lushness heard here. Katchen's conception of Brahms was large-scaled but smooth, warm without much psychological struggle. Suk was a honey-toned violinist, and although Starker was the modernist among the three, what's notable here is how perfectly in unison he is with Suk (and blissfully in tune). Decca puts the piano in the middle and the string players close up in their own channels left and right. The result is wide-screen and artificial, of course, since it makes the cello sound as loud as the piano. but the sonic effect is quite luscious.

I've saved my remarks about te interpretations for last. The Brahms trios have attracted great collaborations, and I wouldn't place this one above, say, Istomin-Stern-Rose although it runs ahead of the Beaux Art Trio, for sheer beauty of tone if nothing else. The shortcoming here is a tendency toward cautiousness; these are middle-of-the-road readings that don't capture Brahms' deepest passions. He is placed in the sun too often. But the first two trios aren't sturm and drang works. If you want large-scale performances caught in gorgeous sound, here you go.