Piano Trios Vol 1

Tero Latvala · Risto Lauriala · Marko Ylönen · Ludwig van Beethoven

2012 · ABCD 340

Credits

Performers: Tero Latvala — ViolinRisto Lauriala — PianoMarko Ylönen — Cello
Composers: Ludwig van Beethoven

About this release

Beethoven
Piano trios op. 70 & WoO 39
Risto Lauriala piano
Tero Latvala violin
Marko Ylönen's cello
The composition of piano, violin and cello was one of Beethoven's favorite ensembles. The new album by Risto Lauriala (piano), Tero Latvala (violin) and Marko Ylönen (cello), among Finland's top artists, features the master's popular Piano Trio in D Major Op. 70 No. 1 (Geister or Ghost Trio), Piano Trio in E flat major, Op. 70 No. 2 and Piano Trio in B flat major WoO 39.
The booklet contains Jouni Kaipainen's expert work presentations and he tells the following about the works on the album:
Piano trios op. 70 were born in the middle of Beethoven's strong middle period, which takes place over a period of ten years around 1803-1813. [...] Op. 70 trios belong together stylistically and texturally with strong ties, but there is also a clear mutual difference between them: the first, the D major trio, reaches both a heroic and a tragic emotional landscape in its drama, while the E flat major trio is more lyrical in its starting points. Its scale of expression may be narrower than its sister work, but at the same time there is something fascinatingly indirect, layered. The way Beethoven now composed for a combination of three instruments was completely unprecedented at the time. [...]The result is uncompromising music that captures the listener. [...] The piano trio in B major brings to mind Beethoven's early sonatinas - and yet the sovereign touch of an experienced author hovers over the music. It's about understanding the importance and beauty of small things.
The trio's high-quality performances raise these basic works of the classic period to the value they deserve again.

Tracks

Piano Trio in D Major Op. 70 No. 1 “Ghost Trio"
1.Allegro vivace e con briocomp. Ludwig van BeethovenISRC FIABA120002910:40
2.Largo assai ed espressivocomp. Ludwig van BeethovenISRC FIABA12000309:20
3.Prestocomp. Ludwig van BeethovenISRC FIABA12000317:57
Piano Trio in E Flat Major Op. 70 No. 2
4.Poco sostenuto – Allegro ma non troppocomp. Ludwig van BeethovenISRC FIABA120003210:15
5.Allegrettocomp. Ludwig van BeethovenISRC FIABA12000335:03
6.Allegretto ma non troppocomp. Ludwig van BeethovenISRC FIABA12000347:01
7.Finale (Allegro)comp. Ludwig van BeethovenISRC FIABA12000357:39
8.Piano Trio in B Flat Major WoO 39 Allegrettocomp. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)ISRC FIABA12000365:58

Reviews

”Tero Latvala, Marko Ylönen, and Risto Lauriala, where have you been? […] With this release, labeled Volume 1 in a projected survey of Beethoven’s complete piano trios, these three exceptionally fine Finnish musicians turn in the most urgent, dynamic, and compelling readings of the two op. 70 trios I know. […] It’s too early to tell, of course, if Latvala, Ylönen, and Lauaiala will be the ones to produce the ideal cycle I’ve long sought, but with this first release, they’re off to a very promising start. Strongly recommended.”
Jerry
Fanfare · Jerry Dubins
Beautifully recorded in 5.0 SACD multichannel sound, this is
the first volume of an enticing prospect from the Alba label.
There is no shortage of recordings of this repertoire in the
current market however, and if we are looking at more recent
recordings the two Op. 70 Trios are paired on a Naxos CD (see
review as ‘Bargain of the Month’), also Volume
1 of a complete set.
Katso arvio / See a review: MusicWeb International
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Beethoven’s trios have not lacked for excellent performances, played either by a collection of soloists or by an established group.
American Record Guide · Paul L Althouse · June 27, 2013
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