PREGHIERA
RACHMANINOV Piano Trios
Kremer. Dirvanauskaite.Trifonov
Deutsche Grammophon 479 6979 / *****
The
album's title Preghiera (Prayer) refers to a short piece for
violin and piano by Fritz Kreisler, a reworking of the melodious themes found
in the slow movement of his close friend and musical collaborator Sergei
Rachmaninov's popular Second Piano Concerto. Like much of the Russian's
music, it is melancholic but the underlying prettiness shines through. It
serves as a prelude to the his two piano trios, brooding early works which are
performed in reverse chronological order.
The
much longer Piano Trio No.2 in D minor (Op.9), just under 50 minutes in
playing time, was composed in memory of his mentor Tchaikovsky who died in
1893. It is modelled almost exactly after Tchaikovsky's own Piano Trio
in A minor, dedicated to the late Nicholas Rubinstein. Even the slow movement
is a set of variations, but based on the main theme from Rachmaninov's tone
poem The Rock. Tchaikovsky's influence also heavily pervades the
single-movement Piano Trio in G minor, which is reminiscent of a tragic
romance.
This
disc celebrates the 70th birthday of Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer,
who retains his characteristic wiry and acerbic tone, but tempers it with no
little tenderness. He is partnered by younger but no less skilled partners,
Lithuanian cellist Giedre Dirvanauskaite and Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov. A
winner from start to finish.
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