Istomin-Stern-Rose Trio - Beethoven: Complete Piano Trios (2007)

Older chamber music fans who lament the demise of the trio formed by pianist Eugene Istomin, violinist Isaac Stern, and cellist Leonard Rose will rejoice to hear of this two-disc EMI DVD set featuring videotaped recordings by the esteemed American trio of Beethoven's complete works in the genre: the three Trios from Opus 1, the two from Opus 70, and the one and only Opus 97, plus the transcription of Opus 11. They will, of course, already have the players' stereo studio recordings of the works released on Columbia in the '60s, but unless they were watching French television in 1970, they probably missed these performances filmed live in the studio in Paris. Istomin, Stern, and Rose here have the same distinctive blend of strong individuality and sympathetic ensemble, of blunt aggression and warm tenderness, of powerful drama and melting lyricism that was the hallmark of the group's studio performances, but with the extra excitement and spontaneity of live performances. Though the direction is minimal, the camera work is shaky, and two of the performances – Opus 1, No. 3, and Opus 11 – are in black and white, these discs will thrill fans of the Istomin, Stern, and Rose trio. INA-EMI's stereo sound is very vivid and immediate. (James Leonard)

Cast:
Eugene Istomin, piano
Isaac Stern, violin
Leonard Rose, cello

Track:
DVD1:
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello No.1 in E flat major, Op.1 No.1 (23 January 1972)
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Adagio cantabile
03. III. Scherzo con Trio: Allegro assai
04. IV. Finale: Presto
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello No.2 in G major, Op.1 No.2 (14 March 1975)
05. I. Adagio - Allegro vivace
06. II. Largo con espressione
07. III. Scherzo con Trio: Allegro
08. IV. Finale: Presto
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello No.3 in C minor, Op.1 No.3 (12 August 1970)
09. I. Allegro con brio
10. II. Andante cantabile con Variazioni
11. III. Menuetto con Trio: Quasi Allegro
12. IV. Finale: Prestissimo
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello No.4 in B flat major, Op.11 (2 September 1970)
13. I. Allegro con brio
14. II. Adagio
15. III. Thema “Pria ch’io l’impegno”: Allegretto
DVD2:
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello No.5 in D major, Op.70 No.1, “Ghost” (14 October 1970)
01. I. Allegro vivace e con brio
02. II. Largo assai ed espressivo
03. III. Presto 8:10
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello No.6 in E flat major, Op.70 No.2 (4 November 1970)
04. I. Poco sostenuto - Allegro ma non troppo - Tempo I - Tempo II
05. II. Allegretto
06. III. Allegretto ma non troppo
07. IV. Finale: Allegro
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello No.7 in B flat major, Op.97, “Archduke” (16 December 1970)
08. I. Allegro moderato
09. II. Scherzo con Trio: Allegro
10. III. Andante cantabile ma però con moto - Poco più adagio - Tempo I
11. IV. Allegro moderato - Presto