Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio - Ravel: Works for Piano, Violin and Cello (2007)

The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio is a first-rate group of soloists and its performances as an ensemble are tight but flexible, strong but sensitive, and colorful yet cogent. All of the usual suspects are on this recording -- Ravel's Trio for violin, cello, and piano; the Sonata from violin and cello, and the Sonata for violin and piano -- as well as a fair number of less well-known works. Koch International has provided clear but atmospheric digital sound. If the recording has a flaw it is that the performances lack an authentically French aesthetic. The tone is not quite pungent enough, the balances are not quite edgy enough, and the performers are not quite individualistic enough. But in context, this small flaw will hardly matter except to Francophiles. Anyone looking for a collection of Ravel's works for piano, violin, and cello will likely be more than satisfied with these performances.