now playing

start of Beethoven: Trio for piano, violin and cello No. 6 in E Flat Major, No. 2, Op. 70
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gJPV4c9OSw&list=OLAK5uy_mDedlbb89ouZWPv6G4xb6v3XInhDGEeV4&index=2

start of Beethoven: Trio for piano, violin and cello No. 7 in B Flat Major, Op. 97, "Archduke"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vaajQuxuG8&list=OLAK5uy_mDedlbb89ouZWPv6G4xb6v3XInhDGEeV4&index=5

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mDedlbb89ouZWPv6G4xb6v3XInhDGEeV4

>It’s not just that ideal balance between the instruments, so faithfully caught by the Harmonia Mundi engineers, which makes this new recording so recommendable. The three performers combine so well that although they aren’t a ‘regular’ trio with a name, they have played together often enough, as in the Faust/Melnikov series of the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas and in Schubert - review - to ensure that this glorious free-wheeling performance is likely to become my listening choice in future, perhaps even in preference to the Beaux Arts and Florestan Trios. I’ve been very sparing recently in nominating Recordings of the Month but this transport of delight certainly constitutes one such. ---- Brian Wilson

also

>In fact all the instruments here are period: the fortepiano is a restored 1828 Graff, the violin a 1704 Strad (‘Sleeping Beauty’) and the cello a Cappa from 1696.

:o

been too long since I last listened to Beethoven's Archduke. Might spend the next couple days searching out and listening to several recordings of it, preferably modern and recent, to enjoy it from as many wonderful perspectives as possible.