Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 5 in D major, Op. 70 No. 1 'The Ghost' (Geistertrio)

“The Ghost is compelling in the outer movements, with pathos in the Largo.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2011 *****

“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

“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

“The Beaux Arts performances are quite wonderful. At budget price, absolutely unmissable.” BBC Music Magazine, April 2013 *****