Spohr: Piano Trios

On this CD:

1. Piano Trio in F major, Op.123
Composed by Louis Spohr
Performed by New Munich Piano Trio

2. Piano Trio in A minor, Op.124
Composed by Louis Spohr
Performed by New Munich Piano Trio

3. Piano Trio in E minor, Op.119
Composed by Louis Spohr
Performed by New Munich Piano Trio

4. Piano Trio in B major, Op.133
Composed by Louis Spohr
Performed by New Munich Piano Trio

5. Piano Trio in G minor, Op.142
Composed by Louis Spohr
Performed by New Munich Piano Trio

Tracks:

Pno Trio No.1 in e Op.119: Moderato
Pno Trio No.1 in e Op.119: Larghetto
Pno Trio No.1 in e Op.119: Scherzo
Pno Trio No.1 in e Op.119: Finale. Vivace
Pno Trio No.2 in F Op.123: Allegro
Pno Trio No.2 in F Op.123: Larghetto
Pno Trio No.2 in F Op.123: Scherzo
Pno Trio No.2 in F Op.123: Finale. Vivace

Tracks:

Pno Trio No.3 in a Op.124: Allegro Moderato
Pno Trio No.3 in a Op.124: Andante Con Var
Pno Trio No.3 in a Op.124: Scherzo
Pno Trio No.3 in a Op.124: Finale. Presto
Pno Trio No.4 in B Op.133: Allegro
Pno Trio No.4 in B Op.133: Menuetto
Pno Trio No.4 in B Op.133: Poco Adagio
Pno Trio No.4 in B Op.133: Finale. Presto

Tracks:

Pno Trio No.5 in g Op.142: Allegro Vivace
Pno Trio No.5 in g Op.142: Adagio
Pno Trio No.5 in g Op.142: Scherzo
Pno Trio No.5 in g Op.142: Finale. Allegro Molto

Average customer rating:

HAVE YOU A HANKERING FOR SPOHR? (PART 3)

Spohr: Piano Trios Nos. 3 And 5

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Piano Trio No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 124: Allegro moderato
Piano Trio No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 124: Andante con variazioni
Piano Trio No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 124: Scherzo
Piano Trio No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 124: Finale: Presto
Piano Trio No. 5 In G Minor, Op. 142: Allegro vivace
Piano Trio No. 5 In G Minor, Op. 142: Adagio
Piano Trio No. 5 In G Minor, Op. 142: Scherzo
Piano Trio No. 5 In G Minor, Op. 142: Finale: Allegro molto

Customer Reviews:

HAVE YOU A HANKERING FOR SPOHR? (PART 3).......2001-10-31

In both my previous reviews of Spohr's Piano Trio No. 1 (Op. 119), coupled with the Piano Quintet (Op. 130) [see 9/28/01], and No.'s 2 (Op. 123) and 4 (Op. 133) [see 6/19/00], I strongly advocated the romantic charm and infectious lyricism of these works, especially on so reasonable a label as Naxos.

Piano Trios No.'s 3 and 5 continue mining this ample vein with an unparalleled level of creativity. Louis Spohr (1784-1859) certainly had a nose for musical paydirt! I have called his piano trios "addictive," and so they are--- like a pocketful of gold. These additional works will easily underscore this notion for you, most beautifully. Both maintain a level of melodic consistency and compositional invention that continually refreshes and delights. No hack, this Spohr! Even writing, as I have said before, at a time that encompassed the greatest masters of Classical and Romantic music, Spohr kept amazingly apace. His "staying power" lies in his genuine desire to compose music of memorable grace and charm, without obvious affectation, staying true to himself and his art. Spohr's honest dedication and aspiration to achieve, to produce music of more than merely a fleeting nature, did, consequentially, capture the attention and admiration of his contemporaries--- a prize in itself!--- and ours, as well.

The two trios here prove, undeniably, that Spohr's music has substance, heart, soul. The Hartley Trio is a cordially sympathetic ensemble who bring to the fore all these wonderful attributes. And the recording is warmly evocative.

[Running time: 62:19]

Average customer rating:

Masterpieces in the genre of piano trio
HAVE YOU A HANKERING FOR SPOHR?

Spohr: Piano Trios Nos. 2 & 4

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Allegro
Menuetto
Poco Adagio
Finale: Presto
Allegro Moderato
Larghetto
Scherzo
Finale: Vivace

Customer Reviews:

Masterpieces in the genre of piano trio.......2002-11-14

I would like to draw attention of all classical music lovers to this series of CDs:
1. NAXOS 8.553164 - Louis Spohr. Piano trios No.3 & No.5;
2. NAXOS 8.553205 - Louis Spohr. Piano trios No.2 & No.4;
3. NAXOS 8.553206 - Louis Spohr. Piano trio No.1 & Piano Quintet Op.130.

These discs contain complete recording of all piano trios by Louis Spohr. NAXOS bargain price is too low for these beautiful performances!

Louis (Ludwig) Spohr (1784-1859) is known mainly as inventor of conductor's baton and as author of violin concertos (at his time, he was second violinist after Paganini). Some of his 15 violin concertos became basic material for studying violinists. But he had also written a lot of music in all genres (9 symphonies, about 30 string quartets, clarinet concertos, operas, etc.). His music had influence on such great composers as Mendelssohn, Schumann and Brahms. During his lifetime, he was considered as great composer of the Beethoven range. Unfortunately, in XX century the most of his music was put in oblivion, and only now we can observe slow revival of Spohr.

If someone considers Spohr as second-level author of simple and boring music, these 3 discs is the best way to change this opinion. All piano trios (and Quintet) demonstrate uniform high quality. Parts written in major tonality are not less attractive than minor-tonality parts. Technically, Spohr achieves an ideal balance between piano and strings. But above all, this is simply music of true beauty. I would place them together with the best piano trios of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schubert. And Spohr doesn't copy musical style of his great contemporaries; he has his own language - this is very quiet, melodic and highly poetic music.

I haven't heard complete recordings of Spohr trios, which were produced by CPO (several years ago, CPO also recorded all violin concertos by Spohr). Nevertheless, NAXOS performances (by Hartley Piano Trio) are very good. Discs are also supplied by very informative notes by Keith Warsop, Chairman of Spohr Society of Great Britain.

If my recommendation will be useful to someone, I would also recommend him to purchase Spohr's disk produced by MD&G (MDG 307 0849-2). This disk contains two of most beautiful and mature works by Spohr - Concerto for String Quartet op.131 and Grand Nonet Op.31, in excellent performances by Leipziger Streichquartett, Leipziger Kammerorchester and Ensemble Villa Musica.

HAVE YOU A HANKERING FOR SPOHR?.......2000-06-19

Good old Louis Spohr chugging away from 1784-1859, in the midst of contemporaries like Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann--- you'd think the man would have shot himself! Thank goodness, he didn't. He left, for generations to come, plenty of good, solid chamber music, amongst which his five Piano Trios are the most lovely. This disc has #s 2 and 4, both infectious and memorable works, like the Larghetto of the second trio (written in 1842). The Hartley Piano Trio plays with a fine, warm feel for this music, and the sound is beautiful. Good ensemble work. Good romantic trios. At the Naxos price, you might consider buying the entire series (on three separate CDs--- with Trio #1 coupled with Spohr's Piano Quintet). Two other complete versions of the Spohr Piano Trios are available, but at full price. No competition.

[Running time: 64:24]