Beethoven: Piano Trios Nos. 1, 4, 5 "Ghost" & 7 "Archiduke"

by Mike D. Brownell With so many magnificent modern and historic recordings of the Beethoven piano trios, there simply isn't much reason to choose this CD featuring the Chung Trio apart from its bargain price. While there's nothing egregiously wrong with this album, there's also something about it that stands out as an interpretation or execution that would make novice listeners fall in love with these works for the first time. Each member of the trio is a skilled musician, but together the sound is not totally pleasing. The violin in particular can be unnecessarily shrill, contrasting with the cello, which could stand to project more to be heard as an equal member of the ensemble. The piano, arguably the most important instrument in these works, is surprisingly unclear at times, almost sounding more like a fortepiano than a modern instrument. The interpretations are clean and accurate, but lean too far toward sterile, particularly in fast movements where the music appears to be played straight through without any consideration for nuance or rubato. So unless you're specifically in the market for a bargain, it's worth it to spend a little more and invest in one of the truly great recordings of these works. The 1990 recording of the Beaux Arts Trio remains the definitive choice for Beethoven's piano trios.