Schubert: Piano Trios Nos.1-2 / Sonatensatz / Notturno / Grand Duo

Terrific as far as it goes, this two-disc set of Schubert's music for piano trio goes no further than the Rhein. That is not to say that the quintessentially French ensemble of pianist Jean-Philippe Collard, violinist Augustin Dumay, and cellist Frédéric Lodéon is not absolutely first-rate in every way. Each is a strongly characterful and thoroughly virtuosic player and together their ensemble is flexible but always together, individualistic but always unified in intent. But they surely do sound French! Unlike their rivals across the Rhein, Collard's tone is more spiccato than legato, Collard's tone is more détaché than legato, Lodéon's tone more reserved than robust. For those who like their Schubert less dramatic and more inward, less emphatic and more lyrical, less overly emotional and more deeply soulful, the Collard/Dumay/Lodéon trio's approach may not succeed. But anyone who responds to French music making will certainly enjoy their performances of the Viennese composer's music. Try the Notturno: if the Collard/Dumay/Lodéon's lushly sensual interpretation sounds appropriate for Schubert's ethereally tender music, then the performances will be pure to please from start to finish. EMI's early digital sound is very immediate but perhaps too forward. ~ James Leonard, AMG