Brahms - Complete Piano Trios
Trio Wanderer; Christophe Gaugué
Harmonia Mundi HMC901915/16 (2CD)

Release date June 2006

Spanning thirty years of creative activity as they do, the piano trios of Brahms provide a valuable insight into his musical development. Brahms was highly self-critical, reworking pieces on many occasions throughout his career. He was uncertain whether to publish his First Piano Trio (Op. 8), writing to Clara Schumann that he “…should have liked to withhold the trio a little longer, for I would certainly have made some changes in it later”. Forty years later, he did extensively rework it, and – as on the Trio Wanderer’s set - it’s the revision that is generally heard today. Immediately, starting with Op. 8, they have captured the rich sonorities that are so very important in Brahms. The balance between the three voices has been given the care and attention required. At one end of the spectrum, there is a light airy quality to their playing, allowing each part to shine through. At the other end of the scale, with the richness that Brahms so often demands, Trio Wanderer sounds as though it boasts substantially more than three players. As well as the three trios, the First Piano Quartet is included in the set, Christophe Gaugué providing the viola part. In trio and quartet form, the players are together and intertwined throughout. This togetherness brings with it a sense of intimacy and excitement and it is no surprise that Trio Wanderer (originating from France) is making an international name for itself. Its appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Festival (on August 19th) will be welcomed by many.

Reviewed by Ruth Squire