Search - Hartley Piano Trio :: Spohr: Piano Trios Nos. 3 And 5

HAVE YOU A HANKERING FOR SPOHR? (PART 3)

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 10/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In both my previous reviews of Spohr's Piano Trio No. 1 (Op. 119), coupled with the Piano Quintet (Op. 130) [see 9/28/01], and No.'s 2 (Op. 123) and 4 (Op. 133) [see 6/19/00], I strongly advocated the romantic charm and infectious lyricism of these works, especially on so reasonable a label as Naxos.



Piano Trios No.'s 3 and 5 continue mining this ample vein with an unparalleled level of creativity. Louis Spohr (1784-1859) certainly had a nose for musical paydirt! I have called his piano trios "addictive," and so they are--- like a pocketful of gold. These additional works will easily underscore this notion for you, most beautifully. Both maintain a level of melodic consistency and compositional invention that continually refreshes and delights. No hack, this Spohr! Even writing, as I have said before, at a time that encompassed the greatest masters of Classical and Romantic music, Spohr kept amazingly apace. His "staying power" lies in his genuine desire to compose music of memorable grace and charm, without obvious affectation, staying true to himself and his art. Spohr's honest dedication and aspiration to achieve, to produce music of more than merely a fleeting nature, did, consequentially, capture the attention and admiration of his contemporaries--- a prize in itself!--- and ours, as well.



The two trios here prove, undeniably, that Spohr's music has substance, heart, soul. The Hartley Trio is a cordially sympathetic ensemble who bring to the fore all these wonderful attributes. And the recording is warmly evocative.



[Running time: 62:19]"