Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 6 in E flat Major, Op. 70 No. 2

“The Gould Piano Trio, established players in this repertoire, prove masterly: nimble, agile and intense.” The Observer, 2nd December 2012

“warmly played by the Gould Trio, who are particularly sensitive to the lyrical minuet-like third movement of [Op. 70 No. 2]...the Goudl Trio's playing is unfailingly musical...All fine performances, in first-class sound.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2013 ****

“The charm of WoO38 is persuasively conveyed, with the group playing up thje work's galant origins. Their conversational ease in the opening movement works well...There are more dramatic readings of these works around but these performances are unfailingly musicianly” Gramophone Magazine, March 2013

“In general, the Phoenix seem to favour slowish tempi...It's the outer movement of the Archduke where the Phoenix seem to have most to say, shaping the opening Allegro moderato effectively and setting a purposeful pace in the finale” Gramophone Magazine, October 2012

“As in the Florestans' earlier recordings there's no distortion, no ugly bulges or individual eccentricities to learn to tolerate - everything has the ring of truth about it...there's character in spades, but in performances you really could play every day without tiring of the individual personalities at work” Andrew McGregor, bbc.co.uk, 4th February 2003

“Here's a recording that immediately, from the first, impetuous bars of Op 70 No 1, feels just right. In this movement the Florestan makes the long second repeat, but there's such a sense of momentum that no one could find it too extended or repetitious. Indeed, the reiterated chords that precede the lead-back reignite our concentration with their air of tense mystery.
And when we reach this point for the second time, the G major harmony at the start of the coda has a wonderful, dense tranquillity. The famous 'Ghost' movement creates a powerful, chilling effect, with stark, senza vibrato string tone and the extraordinary writing in the piano's deep bass register exploited by Susan Tomes with superb control and sensitivity.
Op 70 No 2 is something of a Cinderella work, but the Florestan performance helps us to see it as a major achievement of Beethoven's middle period. Although they're a thoughtful, highly controlled group, there's room for moments of the most intense expression. And the finale, one of Beethoven's most prodigiously inventive pieces, has in this performance a feeling of uninhibited enjoyment. The recorded sound and balance are equally fine.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“This is playing of quite extraordinary sensitivity and depth. I can hardly wait until the next volume” The Independent

“These finely judged and warmly recorded performances gave me a great deal of pleasure. I particularly liked the players' leisurely tempos in the opening movement of the Trio Op. 70 No. 2, and the way they brought out the gruff humour of the concluding variations in Beethoven's own adaptation of his Op. 11 Trio” BBC Music Magazine, March 2011 ****

“[The Xyrion Trio] are terrific musicians….They play with flawless ensemble, subtle phrasing, and great rhythmic energy-- essential for Beethoven. What struck me most of all was their wonderful sense of architecture” American Record Guide

“…the performances of the Op. 70 works are thoroughly musical and full of imaginative touches. In the finales, in particular, the players bring out all the music's wit and energy. …this new disc is certainly a bargain, and well worth exploring.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2005

“Mozart-off-the-leach Classicism makes even the likes of Kempff/Szeryng/Fournier (DG) feel rather heavy-handed by comparison. A magical disc, beautifully played and engineered, offering maximum playing time.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2005 *****