Beethoven for Three: Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale" and Op. 1 No. 3

by Emanuel Ax, Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos

Overview

Violinist Leonidas Kavakos, pianist Emanuel Ax, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, venerable veterans all, have recorded several of these Beethoven for Three albums, featuring a symphony arranged for piano trio along with other works by Beethoven or others. This release makes an excellent place to start for the curious. Certainly, it would not have been odd in the 19th century, when symphonies were realized like this at home, to hear an arrangement for trio of the Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 ("Pastoral"). However, the version here, by contemporary pianist Shai Wosner, is especially good, with Ma's cello buzzing up an impressive storm in the fourth movement. All-star chamber music recordings often seemed designed more to sell albums than to realize musical values, but this group has a real rapport, with a flowing, lyrical Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3, that can stand with any on the market. In general, there is a relaxed quality here that marks the best chamber playing, and this may have something to do with the Tanglewood Music Festival recording locale; Sony's sound showcases the music ideally, and the setting must have been congenial for the musicians. A standout chamber release. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	11/11/2022
Label:	Sony Classical
UPC:	0196587393724

Tracks

1. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68, "Pastorale"~I. Allegro ma non Troppo, Awakening of Cheerful Feelings on Arriving in the Countryside"
2. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68, "Pastorale"~II. Andante Molto Mosso, Scene by the Brook
3. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68, "Pastorale"~III. Allegro, Joyful Gathering of Countryfolk
4. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68, "Pastorale"~IV. Allegro, The Storm
5. Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68, "Pastorale"~V. Allegretto, Shepherd's Song. Thanksgiving After the Storm
6. Piano Trio No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 3~I. Allegro con Brio
7. Piano Trio No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 3~II. Andante Cantabile con Variazioni
8. Piano Trio No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 3~III. Menuetto. Quasi Allegro
9. Piano Trio No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 3~IV. Finale. Prestissimo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Emanuel Ax   Primary Artist,Piano
Yo-Yo Ma   Primary Artist,Cello
Leonidas Kavakos   Primary Artist,Violin

Technical Credits

Rick Jacobsohn   Assistant Engineer
Nigel Parry   Photography
Ron Jaramillo   Creative Director
Richard King   Engineer
Ludwig van Beethoven   Composer
Patricia Quintero   Package Design
Jing Ma   Production Coordination
Jonathan Bays   Executive Producer
Ben Mandelkern   Executive Producer
Jennifer Chen   Production Manager
Shai Wosner   Arranger
Steven Epstein   Producer
John Von Rohr   Piano Technician