Theodor Kirchner’s Noveletten for piano trio is a good match on a disc with Hermann Goetz’s G minor Piano Trio. Both composers share a similar heritage in German Romantic music of the Schumann/Brahms school, and both have a sure grasp of the piano trio genre. They had similar careers as well, even up to the point of Goetz replacing Kirchner in an organist job in Switzerland. The main aesthetic of each piece, though, is different enough that they complement each other well.
Solid musicianship brings these overlooked works to life. Violinist Vilmos Szabadi has just the right tone and healthy amounts of portamento and vibrato for the predominant salon atmosphere of Kirchner’s music. The 12 movements are all different character pieces, and the musicians do a good job of bringing out the particular flavors of each. In the piano-heavy Goetz Piano Trio, Márta Gulyás provides solid leadership. She actually evokes Schumann’s piano style in the lovely second movement, with both violin and cello demonstrating their own musicality in long, suitably genteel legato lines.
Sound quality is quite good. The highs are somewhat brittle, but otherwise the reproduction is fairly natural, with an up-front presence. Anyone who likes good Romantic chamber music will find this a strong addition to their music collection.
