[TR24][OF] Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2 - Julia Fischer, Jonathan Gilad, Daniel Müller-Schott (Muller-Schott) - 2006 (Classical)

Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49
01. I. Molto allegro agitato (9:40)
02. II. Andante con moto tranquillo (6:58)
03. III. Scherzo: Leggiero e vivace (3:31)
04. IV. Finale: Allegro assai appassionato (8:30)
Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66
05. I. Allegro energico e con fuoco (10:41)
06. II. Andante espressivo (8:18)
07. III. Scherzo: Molto allegro quasi presto (3:27)
08. IV. Finale: Allegro appassionato (7:59)

“Since the foundation of PentaTone Classics in 2001, their enterprising programming; appealing contemporary presentations; consistently high quality performances and state of the art recordings have been nothing short of astonishing. I look forward enthusiastically to each of their stylish new releases and this hybrid Super Audio CD of Mendelssohn’s two Piano Trios was no exception. After a check of the accompanying marketing information it seems that this disc has already been selected as a Gramophone ‘Editor’s Choice’ and the recipient of a Diapason d’Or award.
PentaTone have provided a smart contemporary presentation, interesting and detailed annotation, excellent sonics together with superb performances. What more could one ask. This is certainly a disc to dash out and purchase." --Michael Cookson, Music Web
“These performances are paragons of classical-era restraint and grace, the most distinguished playing coming from the least-known of the three, pianist Jonathan Gilad. He has that Mozartean talent for saying great things with intricately wrought sound.
The SACD sound is a surprising plus: Though Mendelssohn’s string writing represents a close collaboration between violin and cello, the sound separation never leaves any doubt about who is doing what.” --David Patrick Stearns, Philadelphia Inquirer
“This has to be one of the best discs of chamber music making I have ever heard and certainly one of the best recorded. Right from the moment that Daniel Muller-Schott opens the D minor trio one sense that this is really very special and the following entrances from Jonathan Gilad and Julia Fischer only confirm that feeling; despite all three being concert soloists in their own right, this is a real meeting of minds. This is playing that makes one sit up and take notice for all the right reasons; it certainly completely eclipses all other versions of this wonderful music I have heard.” --John Broggio, SA-CD.net
“Julia Fischer’s violin lines, though hard-driven in the outer movements, also convey warmth and shapeliness in the music’s quietly intense passages: the almost prayerful slow movements, for example, or parts of the C minor Trio’s finale. Daniel Müller-Schott’s cello playing matches those extremes and adds an engaging lugubriousness when Mendelssohn seems to invite it, as in the opening bars of the D minor Trio. And Jonathan Gilad’s piano, woven beautifully into the texture, has a bright sparkle of a sort that other recordings of these works don’t quite match.” --Allan Kozinn, New York Times
“Pentatone has another winner in this issue of Mendelssohn’s two piano trios. Their star violinist Julia Fischer is joined by two other major young artists, pianist Jonathan Gilad, and cellist Daniel Müller-Schott in vivid performances of these delightful Mendelssohn works. Wolf Werth and Job Maarse produced this recording which was made in a radio studio in Cologne in February 2006. Excellent sound, with the performers in front, ambient sound from the rear." --Robert Benson, Classicalcdreview.com
Personnel:
Julia Fischer, violin
Jonathan Gilad, piano
Daniel Müller-Schott, cello
Recorded: Deutschlandfunk Sendesaal, Cologne, Germany, 14-16/2/2006