CD Review
Brahms: Complete Piano Trios, Trio Wanderer
- Composer
- Brahms
- Artist
- Trio Wanderer; Christophe Gaugué, viola
- Label
- Harmonia Mundi
- Catalogue
- HMC901915/16
- Reviewed by
- Ruth Squire
Spanning thirty years of creative activity as they do, the piano trios of Brahms provide a valuable insight into his musical development. Brahms was highly self-critical, reworking pieces on many occasions throughout his career. He was uncertain whether to publish his First Piano Trio (Op. 8), writing to Clara Schumann that he “should have liked to withhold the trio a little longer, for I would certainly have made some changes in it later”. Forty years later, he did extensively rework it, and, as on the Trio Wanderer’s set, it’s the revision that is generally heard today.
Immediately, starting with Op. 8, they have captured the rich sonorities that are so very important in Brahms. The balance between the three voices has been given the care and attention required. At one end of the spectrum, there is a light airy quality to their playing, allowing each part to shine through. At the other end of the scale, with the richness that Brahms so often demands, Trio Wanderer sounds as though it boasts substantially more than three players.
As well as the three trios, the First Piano Quartet is included in the set, Christophe Gaugué providing the viola part. In trio and quartet form, the players are together and intertwined throughout. This togetherness brings with it a sense of intimacy and excitement and it is no surprise that Trio Wanderer (originating from France) is making an international name for itself. Its appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Festival (on August 19th) will be welcomed by many.
About the ensemble
Trio Wanderer formed in 1987 at the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique, where pianist Vincent Coq, violinist Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian and cellist Raphaël Pidoux completed their studies together in 1989. The group’s name comes from Schubert’s song Der Wanderer, reflecting its particular affinity with the German Romantic repertoire that this Brahms set belongs to. After further training in the United States with György Sebök and János Starker, and later study with Menahem Pressler of the Beaux Arts Trio, the ensemble won two major competitions in quick succession, the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and Munich’s ARD Competition, establishing the international career that has continued for decades since.
A note on this page
Originally published by Ruth Squire, recovered from mmmusic's own archive and reproduced here as the critic wrote it.
Questions about this recording
How many piano trios did Brahms write?
Three numbered piano trios, spanning roughly thirty years of his creative life, his First Piano Trio, Op. 8, was published early in his career and then extensively reworked forty years later; it's this revised version that's generally performed and recorded today, including here.
What else is included on this set?
Brahms's First Piano Quartet, Op. 25, with Christophe Gaugué joining Trio Wanderer on viola.
Who are Trio Wanderer?
A French piano trio the review describes as making an international name for itself, appearing at the Edinburgh Festival the same year this recording was reviewed.
Is this recording still available to buy?
Yes, Harmonia Mundi's catalogue number HMC901915/16 remains findable through classical retailers. We don't run an in-house shop, so we link out to Amazon and Discogs below.
