[Cover graphic]

2 Compact Discs CDA67251/2

£26.98

Here are all of Brahms's Trios assembled on two CDs.

The three Piano Trios date from the extremes of the composer's life - Opus 8 from 1853/4 when he was about twenty years old (though here performed in its revised version of 1889), and Opus 101 from 1886 written when he was fifty-three. The Clarinet Trio was one of his very last works, written for the clarinettist who also inspired the Clarinet Quintet and the two Opus 120 Sonatas, Richard Mühlfeld. The marvellous Horn Trio is a middle-period work, composed when the composer was in his early thirties.

The five works are presented chronologically on the two discs. All are immaculately played by this most exciting young British ensemble whose first two CDs for Hyperion have drawn superlatives from critics worldwide: 'This is a wonderful disc. Another jewel in the heavily-studded Hyperion crown. A richly rewarding treat' (Classic CD on Dvorák Trios, CDA66895)

Recorded in St George's, Brandon Hill, Bristol, on 2-4 June (Opp 40, 87), 11, 12 August (Op 101) and 16-18 August (Opp 8, 114) 1997
Recording Engineers
TONY FAULKNER (Opp 40, 87)
ANTONY HOWELL (Opp 8, 101, 114)
Recording Producer
ANDREW KEENER
Post-production Assistant
OLIVER RIVERS
Piano
STEINWAY
Cover Design
TERRY SHANNON
Booklet Editor
NICK FLOWER
Executive Producers
EDWARD PERRY
SIMON PERRY
© Hyperion Records Ltd, London, MCMXCVIII

Duration: 136'45
DDD
Front photograph by Edward Perry

JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897)

The Complete Piano Trios
Clarinet Trio
Horn Trio

THE FLORESTAN TRIO
ANTHONY MARWOOD violin
RICHARD LESTER cello
SUSAN TOMES piano

RICHARD HOSFORD clarinet
STEPHEN STIRLING horn

Contents:

Compact Disc 1 - 63'26

    Trio in B major for piano, violin and cello Op 8 [35'50]
  1. Allegro con brio [14'51]
  2. Scherzo: Allegro molto [6'18]
  3. Adagio [8'03]
  4. Allegro [6'28]

    Trio in E flat major for piano, violin and horn Op 40 [27'29]

  5. Andante - Poco più animato [7'39]
  6. Scherzo: Allegro [6'39]
  7. Adagio mesto [6'34]
  8. Finale: Allegro con brio [6'17]
Compact Disc 2 - 73'19
    Trio in C major for piano, violin and cello Op 87 [27'29]
  1. Allegro [9'26]
  2. Andante con moto [7'33]
  3. Scherzo: Presto [4'23]
  4. Finale: Allegro giocoso [5'58]

    Trio in C minor for piano, violin and cello Op 101 [20'07]

  5. Allegro energico [7'07]
  6. Presto non assai [3'31]
  7. Andante grazioso [4'04]
  8. Allegro molto [5'17]

    Trio in A minor for piano, clarinet and cello Op 114 [25'22]

  9. Allegro [8'10]
  10. Adagio [8'00]
  11. Andante grazioso [4'34]
  12. Allegro [4'35]

GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE

'Enriching performances that make one aware of Brahms's stature first and the superb musicianship of the executants second - which is exactly as it should be!' (Gramophone)

'These are very desirable recordings' (Gramophone)

'A clear first recommendation for any of the five works. I find these fully the equal of any other versions of any of the trios in the catalogs, whether by present-day or 'golden age' performers. Wonderful music-making' (Fanfare, USA)

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