Ludwig van Beethoven

Beerhoven Trio, Vienna/Philippe Entremont/Vienna Chamber Orchestra

New additions to Beethoven's lists of available works on CD are rare, which makes this attractive chamber piece even more notable. In 1805, two years after the premiere of his Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Beethoven transcribed the work for piano trio as a way of making possible performances in smaller halls. The resulting chamber piece stands on its own as a lively, richly melodic and exciting work of chamber music, with the piano (played by Christiane Karajeva) taking the large orchestral parts and the violin and cello the smaller, expressive details. The performance is appropriately spirited and fresh, as becomes this seldom-heard part of Beethoven's oeuvre. The trio is paired with a bold and lyrical performance of the Triple Concerto, which, like the chamber piece, benefits from Camerata's extraordinarily clear and close sound. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide