These performances of Beethoven and Hummel piano trios are period instrument performances: Andreas Staier plays a pianoforte based on an 1825 Graf original, Daniel Sepec plays a 1780 Storioni violin, and Jean-Guihen Queyras plays a 1696 Cappa cello. But they don't lack for Romantic spirit; while Sepec and Queyras eschew vibrato and embrace intensity while Staier remains his usual austere yet expressive self, the ensemble performances sound big, bold, and Romantic. The player's use of tempo rubato and their manner of shaping phrases, driving developments, and sculpting climaxes has much more to do with the middle nineteenth century than anything else. Staier, Sepec, and Queyras have turned in three fabulous performances on this 2007 Harmonia Mundi disc. Whether in the early C minor Trio, Op. 1/3, or in the mature D major Trio, Op. 70/1, Staier, Sepec, and Queyras' view of Beethoven is robustly rhythmic, strongly dramatic, and powerfully argued. And their view of Hummel's rarely recording G major Trio, Op. 65, is suitably graceful and surprisingly persuasive. Captured in warm, close digital sound by Harmonia Mundi, these performances should please the most discriminating listener.