Search - Yo-Yo Ma :: Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Op 49 Op 66

Suave, experienced, relaxed musicianship from three old pros

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/02/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album to commemorate Mendelssohn's bicentennial has shown up a little past 2009, but it's a welcome return to chamber music by three stars in the classical world. Of the major labels, Sony BMG seems to have given up on chamber music almost completely. Thank goodness we have an archive of recordings from the era when Yo-Yo Ma and Isaac Stern, often in the company of Emanuel Ax, produced an outpouring of Brahms CDs that remain the best modern renditions. Perlman has made fewer appearances in chamber music since his early days but is, of course, accomplished in his own right.



Here they compete with the ghost of Stern, whose all but definitive account of the two Mendelssohn Piano Trios with partners Leonard Rose and Eugene Istomin derives from an even earlier era before he met Ma. As befits the performers' gray hair, these new recordings are seasoned and relaxed. The whirlwind Scherzo in Trio no. 1 won't stir up any dust; the opening Molto allegro e agitato is far from being either very fast or agitated. Is it right to turn the finale, marked "very fast" and "passionate," into something more civilized? The same experienced, suave restraint hovers over Trio no. 2 as well. Comparisons with Istomin-Stern-Rose or the trio led by Julia Fischer on PentaTone, not to mention the ultra-energized Martha Argerich and Friends (EMI), reveal how this music sounds when played with more vitality. On the other hand, there's no denying that the playing here bespeaks Cadillac musicianship, even if it rarely gets out of first gear"

Romantic Trios with Grace and Joy

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel | Oakland, CA USA | 02/08/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"**** 1/2. Compared to my CD of the solid, direct Beaux Arts Trio, and remembrances of the scholarly but energetic Stern-Istomin-Rose group, the classical superstars of this new album perform the Mendelssohn works with emphasis on grace and joy. The sweet and lyrical Op. 49, comes off smoothly but without inner depth; the more serious, classical Op. 66 offers thought and emotional gravitas. Perlman and Ma were mentored by Stern and both play with lightness and fluidity. There is no roughness or edginess to their sound; thus, their approach is fitting for the early romantic Mendelssohn. Do not expect a wide range of temperments; these compositions are andante and allegro, but the final two movements of the second trio are vigorous and bright. I wonder if this senior trio will go on to other issues of, for example, the Schubert, Schumann, and Dvorak trios. Or perhaps they will venture to contempory trios. I am pleased with this particular recording and recommend these light, popular pieces for those whose interest in chamber work is still developing.

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The best Mendelssohn OP 49 yet!

Barbara | Sonoma, Ca, USA | 04/11/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've got the Casals recording at the White House in 1961 and the Heifetz/Piatigorsky/Rubenstein version from 1950. I believe the Ma/Ax/Perlmanrecording is the most beautiful, joyful and expressive of the 3."