Ravel, Debussy: Piano Trios

On this CD:

1. Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 70/1
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Teodora Campagnaro, Giovanni Battista Rigon, Sonick Tchakerian, Italiano Trio

2. Piano Trio, L. 3
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Teodora Campagnaro, Giovanni Battista Rigon, Sonick Tchakerian, Italiano Trio

Customer Reviews:

The best SACD I own........2007-07-04

This is the best sounding SACD I have ever heard.

Piano is especially beautiful; deep bass and brilliant mid/high tones.
Srings are sweet without any hint of digital glare.

Faure is dreamy masterpiece.
Digital recording has come a long way.
Has the time finally come to send my analogue table to the closet?

Three gems of French Chamber Music.......2006-02-14

Whether as a Piano Trio (Florestan) or as a Piano Quartet (Domus) or even in duet, Susan Tomes and her British musical colleages have found a fertile niche in the Romantic period chamber music of Faure, Dvorak, Debussy, Schumann, Brahms and Ravel. Their Hyperion recordings of Faure's and Dvorak's Piano Quartets and Piano Quintets all rose to the top choices, winning some impressive awards along the way (Penguin Rosette, Gramophone Award). Ditto for their Schumann and Beethoven Piano Trios. This collection of piano trios from the great French Romantic composers - Faure, Debussy and Ravel - is no less outstanding and admirable. All three trios are absolute gems of French chamber music and are emmensely enjoyable, especially when played as alluringly by the Florestan Trio.

The Florestans play this music with imagination, delicacy and compelling musicianship that keeps the music vibrant and perpetually expressive. They bring out the gorgeous lyricism in the Faure and Debussy Trios with smooth, effortless melodic lines and rich sonorities. I would say in general they present this genre of music with a slightly more relaxed, less-edgy personna with a focus on tonal beauty and graceful lines. In particular, Faure's Andantino and Debussy's Scherzo and Andante are equisite in their hands. I did not realize how superb this music was until hearing their recording here.

The pairing with the more "modern" Piano Trio by Maurice Ravel is wonderfully compatible yet diverse enough to cap off a most interesting recital that spans several decades of French chamber music. The Floristan Trio renders Ravel's curiously emotive textures with equistite subtlety that keeps one listening closely to its fascinating shifts of color and nuance. Their reading of the hauntingly beautiful "Passacaille" third movement is particularly stunning in its expressive effects that can melt you (some really beautiful cello and low-register violin lines against a deep bass dirge tempo from Tomes). For all, the sound is exceptionally good even without the SACD enhancement (clear, vibrant, optimally resonant to bring just the right depth of presence). A bonus are 7 pages of above-average liner notes. The more I hear the music of Susan Tomes and this Trio (or in duet with Kyrsia Osostowicz), the more I am impressed and inspired. This marvelous CD has vaulted to the top of my favorites. Compositions - 5 stars; Performance - 5 stars; Sound quality - 5 stars.

BUY THIS.......2003-07-23

BUY THIS. If it wasnt on SACD I'd still be raving about it. The performances are everything you'd expect from the Florestan (child of Domus). The Ravel is exciting and more reminiscent of the string quartet than with many other performances and the Debussy is a lesser known early-gem. In this performance, the Ravel has so much more to say than in others which revel in its virtuosity without also revelling in its subtlety

As to the Faure, well, words fail. It is simply one of the best performances of all time, surpassing even the Beaux Arts in capturing so much of the world of late-Faure. Its a work which is contemporaneous with the great op. 121 string quartet yet which, to my ears, has never sounded as profound. Now, I'm converted, - its enigmatic, meditative, and, in the finale, vigourous, and the Florestan capture every changing nuance and mood, within a cogent framework. Wonderful!!

Now to the sound on SACD, - this is how chamber music should sound. It is natural, unforced, airy, communicative and yet unobtrusive. All Hyperion recordings are good, - this is EXEMPLARY, a perfect match of medium with message, of sound with performance.

Five stars all round. Bravo.

BUY THIS.......2003-07-23

Five stars all round. Bravo.

MENAGE' A TROIS, MUSICALLY SPEAKING.......2003-04-05

Rarely recorded--- no less as a trio of trios!--- these freshly musical, civilized and lyrical performances of works by Faure, Debussy and Ravel have, as well, rarely sounded so appealing. The Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 120 of Faure [1845-1924], written in the twilight of his years, offers a surprising glimpse of a composer now soothingly romantic, tuneful and uncomplicated. Shorn are earlier complexities, and in their place the warmth of an autumnal glow, most beautifully illuminated in the rapturous Andantino. No less surprising is the late-teenage G minor Piano Trio, written in 1880, of Claude Debussy [1862-1918], whose fabulous impressionist leanings are still formative. The young composer, drawing more on the romantic confluence of Tchaikovsky and Schumann, and perhaps even Rheinberger, is delightfully naive. Melody flows, spontaneous, charming and unpretentious. Ravel [1875-1937] falls mid-way between his two contemporaries, and his Piano Trio of 1914 already retains stylistic elements the ear instantly recognizes as the composer's own. Grace and nostalgic misterioso haunt this attractive work, making the couplings here all the more fascinating in their unique diversion, and irrepressibly valuable in their collective availability. The Florestan Trio (using members from the brilliant Domus ensemble) is outstanding, each musician contributing nuanced, sensitive accounts. The sound is richly detailed and warm.

[Running time: 65:50]

Average customer rating:

very good CD
Superb Playing of Some Stunning French Chamber Music
Perfect Rainy Day Music

Fauré, Debussy, Ravel: Piano Trios

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000SC4
Release Date: 1992-07-07

Tracks:

Trio pour violin, violoncelle et piano: (Modere)
Trio pour violin, violoncelle et piano: Pantoum: Assez vif
Trio pour violin, violoncelle et piano: Passacaille: Tres large
Trio pour violin, violoncelle et piano: Final: Anime
Premier Trio en Sol, in G: Andantino con moto allegro
Premier Trio en Sol, in G: Scherzo - Intermezzo
Premier Trio en Sol, in G: Andante espressivo
Premier Trio en Sol, in G: Finale: Appassionato
Trio pour piano, violon et violoncelle, op. 120: Allegro, ma non troppo
Trio pour piano, violon et violoncelle, op. 120: Andantino
Trio pour piano, violon et violoncelle, op. 120: Allegro vivo

Customer Reviews:

very good CD.......2005-08-25

I agree with the other reviewers that this is an excellent recording. I have another version of the Ravel -- probably the best of these three trios -- recorded by Kalichstein-Robinson-Laredo and feel this one just edges them out. The tempi are subtley different so that some transitions work out better in this version. Additionally at some places where KLR seemed harsh this is smoother. The Faure is great -- really austere compared to the other two but beautiful. While I like Debussy I was comparatively less interested in his trio. The recording quality is awesome.

Superb Playing of Some Stunning French Chamber Music.......2000-09-16

This is the only Trio Fontenay disc I have, but I'd heard great things about them. So a generous offering of the three major composers of early twentieth century French music on one disc seemed a good place to start. And what pieces they are. The Debussy is pretty minor, since he composed it when he was 18, but it's still very pleasing to listen to. It's a piece that looks backward to the romantic lyricism of the nineteenth century rather than one that looks forward to his experimental impressionistic masterpieces. As for the Ravel and the Faure, they're unbelievable--passionate and tempestuous, yet they yearn with an ache. They'll completely engage you from the beginning to the end. Faure was a true surprise for me, since I don't know very much about him or his music. He wrote this trio right at the end of his life, yet in spite of (or maybe because of) this fact the music is utterly overpowering in its tragic intensity. I love everything of Ravel's that I've ever heard, so all I can say of his trio is that it easily meets the very high standards he set for himself. As for the playing, it seems to me to be the equal of these pieces. I haven't heard any other interpretations, so I have nothing to compare them to. Yet the Fontenay musicians seem to play off each other immaculately, and they certainly capture the intense drama of these pieces. I think I'll try and listen to their Brahms and Beethoven to get a really good idea of what they're capable of, and I'm confident I'll like what I hear. However, I think this disc is essential listening, because you get so much both in quantity and quality. If you haven't heard these pieces before, you'll be delighted you discovered them.

Perfect Rainy Day Music.......1999-07-31

A friend loaned me this CD on a rainy day in October when I was feeling under the weather...Since then, this CD, a cup of Darjeeling and a blanket come out every rainy Saturday--in the fall when the leaves are falling, and straight through to the earthy-smelling thunderstorms of early June. For an afternoon of reflection and meditation, there's nothing like this collection of Piano Trios by three wonderful Impressionists...

French Piano Trios, Vol. 1: Debussy, Ravel, Schmitt

Average customer rating:

French Piano Trios, Vol. 1: Debussy, Ravel, Schmitt

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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: B00000140P
Release Date: 1995-05-23

Tracks:

Trio No. 1 In G Major: Andantino con moto allegro
Trio No. 1 In G Major: Scherzo - Intermezzo: Moderato con allegro
Trio No. 1 In G Major: Andante espressivo
Trio No. 1 In G Major: Finale: Appassionato
Trio: Modere
Trio: Pantoum: Assez vif
Trio: Passacaille: Tres large
Trio: Final : Anime
Tres lent

Average customer rating:

Debussy/ Faure/ Ravel: Piano Trios

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Ravel: Sonatas & Trio

ASIN: B000038I6C
Release Date: 1999-12-14

Average customer rating:

Ravel, Debussy: Piano Trios

Manufacturer: Arts Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005APB
Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

Trio pour piano et cordes: Modere
Trio pour piano et cordes: Pantoum - Assez vif
Trio pour piano et cordes: Passacaille - Tres large
Trio pour piano et cordes: Final - Anime
Trio pour violon, viloncelle et piano: Andantino con moto allegro
Trio pour violon, viloncelle et piano: Scherzo - Intermezzo, Moderato con allegro
Trio pour violon, viloncelle et piano: Andante espressivo
Trio pour violon, viloncelle et piano: Finale, Appassionato

Average customer rating:

French Trios

Manufacturer: Sne Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DCRP
Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

Trio in a: Modere
Trio in a: Pantoum
Trio in a: Passacaille
Trio in a: Final
Son en Trio No.2 in b: Largo
Son en Trio No.2 in b: Allegro
Son en Trio No.2 in b: Adagio
Son en Trio No.2 in b: Allegro con Spirito
Premier Trio in G: Andantino con moto allegro
Premier Trio in G: Scherzo Intermezzo: Moderato con allegro
Premier Trio in G: Andante expressivo
Premier Trio in G: Finale, Apassionato

Debussy, Ravel - String Quartets/Piano Trios - Carmina Quartet (2 CD Set)

Average customer rating:

Debussy, Ravel - String Quartets/Piano Trios - Carmina Quartet (2 CD Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000RACS44

Product Description

CD 1 Claude Debussy (1862-1918) String Quartet in G minor Op. 10 1. Animé et trës décidé 6:36 2. Assez vif et bien rythmé 3:45 3. Andatino, doucement expressif 7:17 4. Trés modére 7:18 Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) String Quartet in F major 5. Allegro moderato, trés doux 8:13 6. Asses vif, trés rythmé 6:16 7. Trés Lent 8:37 8. Vif et agité 5:17 Total: 64:12 Carmina Quartet Matthias Enderle, violin I/ Susanne Frank, violin II Wendy Champney, viola / Stephan Goerner, cello CD 2 Claude Debussy: Piano Trio in G minor 1. Andantino con moto allegro 7:33 2. Scherzo-Intermezzo: monderato con allegro 3:02 3. Andante espressivo 3:36 4. Finale, appassionato 5:01 Maurice Ravel: Piano Trio in A minor 5. Modéré 9:10 6. Pantoum 4:17 7. Passcaille 7:21 8. Final, animé Gabriel Fauré: Piano Trio in D minor Op. 120 9. Allegro 5:44 10. Andantino 8:31 11. Andante vivo 4:40 Total: 64:12 Carmina Quartet Matthias Enderle, violin I, Susanne Frank, violin II Wendy Champney, viola, Stephen Goerner, cello Jaques Rouvier, piano, Jean-Jacques Kantorow, violin Phillipe Müller, cello

Trios & Quartets: Debussy, Lalo, Fauré...

Average customer rating:

Trios & Quartets: Debussy, Lalo, Fauré...

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001K6P
Release Date: 1994-08-22

Average customer rating:

Piano Trios

Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000025RRK
Release Date: 1994-01-04

Piano Trios Of Ravel, Debussy, Fauré, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky And Arensky

Average customer rating:

Piano Trios Of Ravel, Debussy, Fauré, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky And Arensky

Manufacturer: Innov. Music Prod.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003VFC
Release Date: 1995-12-12

Music Review: