The founding Beaux Arts Trio recorded Beethoven’s “Archduke” trio for the first time in 1964. Violinist Isidore Cohen subsequently replaced Daniel Guillet, and the original line-up is now represented only by pianist Menahem Pressler. The Beaux Arts’ 1964 account of the “Archduke” is the version included on this Philips 50 reissue. Although the trio recorded the work again in 1979 with Cohen, its interpretation was firmly settled 15 years earlier, so there’s little to choose between these versions in terms of performance.
Looking at details, Cohen sometimes brought more humour to the scherzo and final presto with sprightly off-string playing that’s never as dry-sounding and pointed as Guillet’s. In part, that impression stems from the closer microphone placement used for the 1964 recording. Bernard Greenhouse’s noble cello lines are nicely caught in the Andante, but the piano is more brittle-sounding in upper registers in this transfer, a feature you’ll notice particularly as the piano announces several of the Andante’s variations. The “Ghost” Trio contains a particularly fine account of the weird Largo from which it takes its name, but again the recording balance isn’t ideal, favoring the piano. The disc contrasts Beethoven’s two most popular piano trios with the Op. 11 “Gassenhauer” trio (usually the Clarinet Trio), and should have strong appeal if you’re new to these works. Fine performances, but later remakes offer better sound. [6/18/2001]
