A mastery of melody and mood
Vienna Piano Trio
Stefan Mendel (piano), Wolfgang Redik (violin), Marcus Trefny (cello) Nimbus NI5553
Fathoming a catalogue heaving with stellar recordings of this work is like being blinded by sparkling jewels in Aladdin’s Cave. Given the wealth of recent artists that have recorded it, older releases with problematic sound don’t really compete – despite this, violinists Jascha Heifetz and David Oistrakh, for example, have much to offer in their respective recordings.
How though, might Mendelssohn have interpreted his Trio? Contemporary descriptions of his playing prove illuminating in furnishing some answers as to which recordings might best serve this music. Clara Schumann described the composer’s own performances as ‘one of the most delightful artistic experiences in my life. He would sometimes take the tempos very quick, but never to the prejudice of the music.’ Ferdinand Hiller
The Vienna Piano Trio bring a chameleon-like skill to their performance
states that ‘he possessed great skill, certainty, power and rapidity of execution.’
A former pupil of Mendelssohn,
Otto Goldschmidt refers to his ‘subtle mechanism, developed with a lightness of the wrist; never from the arms’. This highlights his remarkable facility, plus his preference for faster yet flexible tempos, the latter exemplified by his dislike of the metronome which he described ‘as an utterly useless invention. A musician who can’t work out the tempo of a piece just by looking at it is a blockhead.’
These comments give clues as to the interpretations that probably come closest to fulfilling his ideals. In this respect, the beautifully recorded version by the Vienna Piano Trio from 20 years ago still leads the field for fervour and commitment. There’s a real sense of forward momentum in the opening movement that generates a feeling of troubled Romanticism, which this ensemble captures par excellence. In addition to the urgency with which the musicians project Mendelssohn’s ideas, we get a captivating blend of perfectly
balanced and blended ensemble coexisting with a refined soloistic approach that infuses the intoxicating string melodies with burnished golden tones.
The fearsomely difficult technical hurdles of the Scherzo pose no problems for the Vienna Piano Trio, who bring a feathery brilliance and a chameleon-like skill to their performance, being soloist or accompanist at the drop of a hat. And an intimate whispering melody graces their approach to the slow movement, in contrast to a triumphant and robust Finale – simply a roller coaster – which reflects a compelling voyage from darkness to light.