W.A. Mozart: Piano Trios, KV 502, 542 & 564

W.A. Mozart: Piano Trios, KV 502, 542 & 564

Regular price £12.99
Total playing time [57:11]

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Rautio Piano Trio
Jane Gordon (violin)
Adi Tal (cello)
Jan Rautio (fortepiano)

The Rautio Piano Trio make their Resonus Classics recording debut with a disc of three piano trios by Mozart – trios in B flat major, KV 502; in E major KV 542; and in G major, KV 564.

Becoming particularly well-known for presenting a wide range of the trio repertoire on both period and modern instruments, the Rautio Piano Trio perform here on period instruments – including a fortepiano that once belonged to the late Christopher Hogwood CBE.

Album Booklet (PDF)

Tracklist

Piano Trio in B-flat major, KV 502
1. Allegro
2. Larghetto
3. Allegretto

Piano Trio in E major, KV 542
4. Allegro
5. Andante grazioso
6. Allegro

Piano Trio in G major, KV 564
7. Allegro
8. Andante
9. Allegretto

'Rarely does a disc come along that unexpectedly brings so much pleasure as this one [...] fabulous recordings, magical performances.'

- Early Music Review

'Pianist Jan Rautio here plays a fortepiano (tuned to A=430 Hz in unequal temperament), with cellist Adi Tal and violinist Jane Gordon using gut strings and lighter, shorter bows. The result is playing of great agility and intimacy which immediately solves some of the balance problems in Mozart’s trios when played on a modern grand, especially in accompanying figures. It’s an impressive achievement, a disc to return to often.'
The Observer

'That fortepiano is the key to one of the chief pleasures of this recording. The natural lightness & clarity of the sound and the effortless balance with the period strings, never overwhelming them. These delightful works don't get out often enough.'
BBC Radio 3 Record Review

'The Rautio Piano Trio’s growing reputation will only be enhanced by this, their debut recording of three Mozartian jewels. This might be comparatively mainstream repertoire but they approach it with a gratifying freshness that avoids the routine'
Classical Ear (5 stars)

'[...] the sheer joy and bounce of the performances win through. [...] there’s a natural flexibility that’s refreshing, a gentle way with ornaments (some written, others not) and, especially as K542’s finale launches into its triplet passages, an infectious sense of toe-tapping delight. Most enjoyable, then, and the recorded sound is clear and engaging too.'
The Strad

'This is the debut release from the Rautio Piano Trio, and it’s an assured debut indeed. [...] There’s plenty of cheerful Mozartian melodic lines passing around the ensemble that can’t help but bring a smile to one’s face.'
Limelight

'Mozart's piano trios don't come out to play as often as Haydn's, despite being among his finest chamber works [...] So a new recording of any or all of them is always to be welcomed. This disc adds interest by being performed on period instruments, making it something of a rarity in this repertoire. The ear is immediately struck by the fortepiano, [...] which formerly belonged to Christopher Hogwood. [...] it is evidently a joy to play, and Jan Rautio leads performances notable for their buoyancy and vivacity.'
Gramophone

'Rarely does a disc come along that unexpectedly brings so much pleasure as this one [...] fabulous recordings, magical performances.'
Early Music Review

'The Rautio piano trio breathe new life into this music in committed performances on period instruments'
Lark Reviews

Credits
© 2016 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2016 Resonus Limited
Catalogue No. RES10168
Producer: Adrian Peacock
Engineer: Will Brown
Executive Producer: Adam Binks
EAN: 5060262790724
Cover image: Fortepiano built by Derek Adlam 1987, after Anton Walter (Vienna c.1795)