Mendelssohn Bartholdy - Gilad, Fischer, Müller-Schott - Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2 [Petatone PTC 5186 085] {Europe 2006}

This has to be one of the best discs of chamber music making I have ever heard and certainly one of the best recorded. Right from the moment that Daniel Müller-Schott opens the D minor trio one sense that this is really very special and the following entrances from Jonathan Gilad and Julia Fischer only confirm that feeling; despite all three being concert soloists in their own right, this is a real meeting of minds. This is playing that makes one sit up and take notice for all the right reasons; it certainly completely eclipses all other versions of this wonderful music I have heard.

The opening tempo of the D minor trio is perfectly judged, not too quick to rob the music of its inherent lyrical nature nor lacking in drama in the more heated moments, and the balance that the trio and PentaTone achieve is a marvel to behold - only live have I heard such a natural blend of instruments before today. In the Andante, such is the beauty and restrained passion of the playing that this music really tugs at the heart strings - it becomes a true song without words here. From this moment of rapt bliss, we are transported into the quicksilver world of the Scherzo and seldom can this have been played with such delicacy or vivaciousness; Gilad really shines with his self-effacing virtuosity here. As the twinkling piano part of the Scherzo fades in the memory, the drama of the opening movement returns in the Finale but without such gorgeous lyricism; this movement not only taxes the performers but unless it is well characterised it can be taxing for the listener too - not that there are any concerns here.

The C minor trio is equally successful and enjoys just as sensational playing as the earlier trio. The opening figuration's are built naturally to the climaxes and the players make magic out of seemingly less promising musical material than what opens the D minor trio which is then handed over beautifully to the glorious melody when it finally arrives. As in the earlier trio, the Andante provides balm for the senses and, after such an electrifying first movement, it is very much needed! A bustling Scherzo then provides Gilad to demonstrate his superb technique again but this time the notes are much more evenly spread out so Fischer & Muller-Schott also have a chance to shine here and they take this with both hands. As in earlier movements, the C minor trio places slightly emphasis on the pianist than in the D minor trio and the Finale is no exception; all three protagonists are called on to provide lyricism and virtuosity that is audibly facile which this team come up with ease. A wonderful conclusion to a great disc.

The recording, as we have come to expect, is excellent but I feel that this sets a new standard for PentaTone; rarely has any chamber music sounded so lifelike. Fortunately, this quality reflects the quality of the playing and the feeling is recalled of when I first heard MCH but I am now regularly "immersed" in beauty, so this is really something very special indeed (6 stars out of 5 would not be exaggerating the quality of either performance or recording!) Whilst the total playing is just shy of one hour - the pleasure lingers in the mind for a great deal longer (that's assuming that you can resist the temptation to start all over again).

Without a doubt, this is the best chamber playing I have heard all year and I cannot see how anyone would fail to warm to this music when given such loving performances as here which is complemented by the sensational recording. Tremendously exciting! Do not hesitate - buy this for yourself and anyone you know who loves chamber music as, even in "plain" stereo or (dare I say it) RBCD, you & they will surely love it as much as I do. John Broggio @ SA-CD.net