Sergei Taneyev - String Trios (Leopold String Trio)

Information

Composer: Sergei Taneyev

1. String Trio in E flat major, Op. 31: I. Allegro con brio
2. String Trio in E flat major, Op. 31: II. Scherzino: Allegretto vivace
3. String Trio in E flat major, Op. 31: III. Adagio espressivo
4. String Trio in E flat major, Op. 31: IV. Presto
5. String Trio in B minor: I. [Allegro]
6. String Trio in B minor: II. Theme and Variations
7. String Trio in D major: I. Allegro
8. String Trio in D major: II. Scherzo 'In contrapunto alla riversa'
9. String Trio in D major: III. Adagio ma non troppo
10. String Trio in D major: IV. Allegro molto - Più mosso

Leopold String Trio
Isabelle van Keulen, violin
Lawrence Power, viola
Kate Gould, cello

Date: 2008
Label: Hyperion
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67573

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Review

This disc of Sergey Taneyev’s three string trios comes at a good time. Given the scarcity of Russian contributions to this traditionally most demanding of chamber media, there is all the more reason to investigate what Russia’s greatest master of counterpoint (according to Tchaikovsky and others well placed to comment) does with it.

Hyperion has wisely placed the finest of the three first. The E flat Trio (1910-11) is chronologically second, and apart from Taneyev’s usual craftsmanly values, there is a winning freedom of invention. The first movement has the confidence to go down inviting sidetracks, confident that there will be marvels to bring back. One of Taneyev’s trademark quick-witted scherzos follows – irresistibly charming – then a gorgeously warm-hearted slow movement, with plentiful florid yet never tasteless elaboration, and a jocund finale. Given that the lowest part of the E flat Trio was conceived and published for the tenor viola (tuned a fourth higher than the cello) there is some justification for Kate Gould’s occasional redistribution of the texture; though if anyone can dig out an example of the original instrument it would be fun to compare.

After this the unfinished B minor Trio (1913), partially reconstructed from sketches for its posthumous first publication, is a tougher nut, grainier in its texture and more heavily shadowed in its moods – a sober and impressive footnote to one of the great chamber music composing careers. The D major Trio (1879-80) is a perfectly respectable debut in the medium, checking every step of the way before boldly going where no major Russian composer had gone before.

It would be hard to over-praise the Leopold Trio’s performances. Agility and all-round aplomb? Check. Warmth and colour? Check. Structural and idiomatic awareness? Check. Fine recording quality and helpful annotation (Calum MacDonald) too; so no reason not to invest.

-- David Fanning, Gramophone

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2008/Dec08/Taneyev_trios_cda67573.htm
https://www.allmusic.com/album/taneyev-string-trios-mw0001580293

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Sergei Taneyev (November 25 [O.S. November 13] 1856 – June 19 [O.S. June 6] 1915) was a Russian composer, pianist, teacher of composition, music theorist and author. Among his teachers at the Moscow Conservatory are Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (composition) and Nikolai Rubinstein (piano). Taneyev's specialized field of study was counterpoint, and he was considered one of the greatest of contrapuntalists. Taneyev's compositions, including nine complete string quartets and four symphonies, reveal his mastery of classical composition technique, but many of them were considered "dry and laboured in character".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Taneyev

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The Leopold String Trio is formed in 1991 in England. They are frequent visitors to the world’s major venues and festivals, touring extensively through Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada. Their repertoire reflects a desire to seek out and pioneer lesser-known masterpieces as well as a strong interest in contemporary music. Their recordings for Hyperion Records have all been greeted with outstanding reviews and nominations for awards, including a Gramophone Award nomination for the J. Brahms Piano Quartets. All three members of the Trio enjoy a varied musical life away from the ensemble.
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Leopold-String-Trio.htm

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