Mendelssohn Piano Trios Nos.1, 2, Trio, Mendelssohn-Hensel : B-Kubizek(Vn)S-Guschlbauer(Vc)Jugovic(P)Schweinberger(Va)(2CD)

This collection brings together the Piano Trios of the siblings. Felix's unusually scored Trio for piano, violin and viola in C minor was written when he was just ten years old; beginning with a Baroque-style theme, it's elfin motif, as featured later, is a clear pre-cursor to the music of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Op.49, which prefigures this work on the recording, dates from Felix's mature period and boasts a spectacular piano part, which the composer himself played at the premiere (the first movement has been referred to as a 'perfect synthesis of the mastery of Classical form with Romantic diction'); Op.66, meanwhile, is a passionate and exciting work - his penultimate chamber piece and one that revisits elfin themes in the Scherzo, ending in a resplendent Bach-style chorale. The last work featured on the set, Fanny's Piano Trio contains a virtuosic piano part that begins with dramatic tremolos but later evolves into a calm, harp-like accompaniment, with a dance-like finale revisiting the second theme to provide a jubilant end to the collection.