Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Piano Quintet In E-flat, Op. 44: Allegro brillante
2. Piano Quintet In E-flat, Op. 44: In modo d'una marcia. Un poco largamente
3. Piano Quintet In E-flat, Op. 44: Scherzo. Molto vivace
4. Piano Quintet In E-flat, Op. 44: Allegro, ma non troppo
5. Piano Quartet In E-flat, Op. 47: Sostenuto assai - Allegro ma non troppo
6. Piano Quartet In E-flat, Op. 47: Scherzo. Molto vivace
7. Piano Quartet In E-flat, Op. 47: Andante cantabile
8. Piano Quartet In E-flat, Op. 47: Finale. Vivace
9. Piano Trio No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 63: Mit Energie und Leidenschaft
10. Piano Trio No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 63: Lebhaft, doch nicht zu rasch

Disc 2:

1. Piano Trio No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 63: Langsam, mit inniger Empfindung
2. Piano Trio No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 63: Mit Feuer
3. Piano Trio No. 2 In F, Op. 80: Sehr lebhaft
4. Piano Trio No. 2 In F, Op. 80: Mit innigem Ausdruck
5. Piano Trio No. 2 In F, Op. 80: In massiger Bewegung
6. Piano Trio No. 2 In F, Op. 80: Nicht zu rasch
7. Piano Trio No. 3 In G Minor, Op. 110: Bewegt, doch nicht zu rasch
8. Piano Trio No. 3 In G Minor, Op. 110: Ziemlich langsam
9. Piano Trio No. 3 In G Minor, Op. 110: Rasch
10. Piano Trio No. 3 In G Minor, Op. 110: Kraftig, mit Humor

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #70480 in Music
• Brand: Philips
• Released on: 1997-11-11
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Amazon.com
This two-CD set, offering Schumann's groundbreaking Piano Quintet, the Piano Quartet, and the three piano trios, is an exceptional bargain. The approach of the Beaux Arts players and their associates is essentially reflective: they let the music speak for itself and avoid the rhetorical excesses other interpreters often fall victim to. In their hands the quintet, one of Schumann's most inspired creations, receives an especially polished and poised performance, with a lovely dovetailing of voices. The analog recordings are warm and detailed, and they have been optimally transferred to CD. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews

Excellent performances, superb value
This collection of Schumann's piano trios, Op. 47 piano quartet, and Op. 44 piano quintet is excellent, epsecially since it's offered at Philips' Duo (2-for-1 price). Having recently performed the piano quartet and quintet, I can say that the Beaux Arts Trio brings much finesse, refinement, and superb musical judgment to these performances. The famous Quintet gets an oustanding performance, not as volatile as the live EMI recording led by Martha Argerich, but then without that recording's self-indulgence either. I think the piano quartet is underrated; it has a absolutely beautiful slow movement and an exhilarating last movement filled with counterpoint. The Beaux Arts gives it an excellent performance, though the slow movement seems rather too ponderous and lacking the radiance it should have. The piano trios aren't as well known: they come from later in Schumann's career and are often considered inferior to the earlier works. I cannot agree, especially in the case of the first two trios, which cotrast beautifully, the first one passionate and tragic, the second one lighter and fresher, almost Schubertian, both with beautiful slow movements. The snag is that the first trio is split between the two discs, which is an inconvenience. Very good sound, too. By the way, if you enjoy the trios, you should also check out the Florestan Trio's two outstanding discs on Hyperion (one with the first two trios, the other with the Piano Quartet, the third trio, and the Op. 88 Fantasiestücke for piano trio). The Florestan's performances are perhaps more imaginative than the Beaux Arts', and they are even better recorded.

Not just for chamber musik freaks! This is Schumann's best.
This 2 CD set offers an extraoardinary bargain. Five works by the underrated German master are heard in incisive performances that only occaisionally succumb to the usual pitfall of many Schumann performances: Zu Viel Schmaltz. When Robert indulged in self-pity, he bathed in it! (especially when he was "Eusebius").... The sound overall is consistent and adequate, although some selections are remastered from analog. Many people have said, "Why couldn't Schumann write a truly great symphony?" He did---the Eb Quintett, op. 44. If you love romantic period chambermusic, you should not miss this collection. This is more than two hours of great music...

Solid Schumann.
I guess I'm going to be the wet blanket and give this good recording its only 4-star review as of this writing. Recorded here is some of Schumann's greatest chamber music (the Piano Quartet and Piano Quintet) and some of his very fine but less successful chamber music (the Trios), all for piano and strings.

At over 140 minutes, this set is certainly a good value and is ideal for those who are building a CD collection of standard repertoire or those who would like a solid recording of the trios, works that are recorded less often, much less offered as a complete set of three. While the Quartet and Quintet are the more inspired and show Schumann's renewed interest in the Classical forms he inherited from Beethoven, the trios are more idiosyncratic and, except for the outer movements of the F-major op. 80, revert to a style that reflects his earlier piano masterpieces and in combination with the strings, has some similarities with his lieder. The music is discursive, ruminative, and sometimes not altogether successfully balanced such as the sprawling development of the first movement of the d-minor Trio op. 63 or most of the austere g-minor Trio op. 110. While I would perhaps like a performance with more vitality, it is in the autumnal slow movements of many of these works that the Beaux Arts and friends sound their best, particularly the 'Mit Innigem Ausdruck' from the F-major Trio.

Other reviewers have praised the recording's sound, but I have to disagree. Compared to the excellent recording I have of the Emerson Quartet plus Menahem Pressler (the same pianist as in the recording here) playing the Quartet and Quintet, this one sounds a bit muffled and muddy. Whether this is due to the recording space or an unsuccessful analog to digital transfer with the Beaux Arts, I cannot confirm. The excitement and reverberation of the Emerson recording is simply not present here.

Here's my humble advice: If you're looking for a good, solid recording of the complete piano trios of Schumann, this is a good performance and a good value. Since the g-minor Trio is a less successful work overall, you may want to stick to just the first two trios. In that case, there are other better recordings available. If you're looking for a good recording of the Quartet and Quintet, there are many better recordings available. If you're building a CD collection, this is a good though not great addition; these Philips DUO recordings are excellent choices for filling in the holes and for enjoying some great music.