Brahms: Piano Trio in A major, Op. posth.

The Eskar Trio have established themselves as one of Denmark’s leading chamber music ensembles and Cpo are proud to present their interpretation of Johann Brahms’s Piano Trios.

In addition to the three well-known trios is the Piano Trio in A major, a work whose authorship continues to be a matter of controversy. The anonymous score from a Bonn manuscript collection of the nineteenth century was discovered in 1924 (now extant), and it is thought to be a sole survivor from collection of piano trios the self-critical composer withheld from publication.

Brahms's trios are brought to life by Australia's premiere piano trio with the passion and emotional intensity so needed for these incredible works, performed with their usual technical assurance and understanding of the music.

The trio in A, imbued with astonishing juvenile ardour, it's obviously the work of a pianist writing for himself in his Sturm und Drang period. Featuring a gushing overabundant thematic profusion, it is quite close to the style of the first version of the trio in B, Op. 8.

The Trio in C appears as a model of balance between great melodic richness and a lofty mastery of form and freedom of inspiration. Here, the Phantasie spirit remains, but a post-Beethovian vigour gives density to a discourse that is successively meditative, pathetic and rustling 'with nocturnal whispers', coming to a close in full light on a robust peasant dance. Most likely coming from the same pen, probably some 30 years apart, a youthful attempt and its masterful 'fair copy'.

The Beaux Arts Trio have recorded the Brahms Trios twice and this, their digital recording of the complete trios returns to the catalogue at mid-price.

“The playing is always highly vital and sensitive. There is a splendid, finely projected sense of line and the delicate, sensitive playing of Menahem Pressler is always a delight.” The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs