Although there is a lot to be said for full-time piano trios that record Beethoven's piano trios -- who could not praise the
Beaux Arts Trio's many recordings of the works? -- there is perhaps more to be said for part-time piano trios that record Beethoven's piano trios. While a full-time trio's playing can be wonderfully cogent and its interpretations can be marvelously cohesive, bringing together three full-time soloists creates playing that is cogent but individualistic, interpretations that are cohesive but original, and performances that are, or can be, quite challenging for the musicians as well as the listeners. Among the best part-time trio Beethoven recordings of the past, there was the lean, strong, and a little sentimental
Heifetz, Rubinstein, and
Piatgorsky; the big, muscular, and a little sweet
Stern,
Istomin, and
Rose; and the virtuosic, heroic, and a little exalted
Szeryng,
Kempff, and
Fournier.
Among the best of the part-time trio Beethoven recordings of the later groups, there is the trio of violinist
Ida Bieler, pianist Nina Tichman, and cellist
Maria Kliegel. Although each has a busy career as a soloist, they also come together as the
Xyrion Trio for occasional concerts and recordings. In these 2005 recordings of Beethoven's first two published trios -- indeed, his first two published works, his Opus 1 Nos. 1 and 2 -- plus his delightful little Allegretto, WoO 39, the
Xyrion Trio turns in rip-roaring virtuoso performances that tear into the music with unconcealed enthusiasm. Although the young Beethoven could sometimes seem a bit grandiose in his aspirations, these powerfully argued and deeply musical performances make a persuasive case for his ambitions. Recorded in close, clear, and direct digital sound by Teije van Geest in the Clara Wieck Auditorium in Sandhausen, Germany, these performances should be heard by everyone who loves the Beethoven piano trios.