Like Bridge’s previous release of Dvorák chamber music spotlighting the artistry of Artur Balsam, this is a disc for specialists, principally those interested in the work of violinist (and NY Philharmonic concertmaster) Glen Dicterow, pianist David Golub, and cellist James Kreger. The performance of the F minor Trio, captured live at the Marlborough Music Festival in 1970, is very lively and rhythmically emphatic, a must in this music. Golub does some lovely things with the left-hand piano writing in the scherzo, and despite the somewhat restricted dynamic range and occasional audience noise it’s very enjoyable.
Many of the same positive qualities also characterize the better-recorded piano quartet (with Gerald Robbins manning the keyboards this time). There’s a similar rhythmic urgency and a high level of enthusiasm, but despite the regularity with which these artists play chamber music together, there’s also a certain lack of subtlety in the handling of dynamics, particularly in the slow movement, to which the best versions don’t succumb. Still, the playing is never dull, and better some occasional roughness than tedious smoothness. We’re not exactly short of fine performances of these works, but I can certainly imagine that students and followers of these artists (and they have their fair share of both) will enjoy this release.
