The Florestan Trio - Saint-Saëns: Piano Trios (2006)

The Florestan Trio has given us many outstanding CDs. Here's another, of Saint-Saens's contrasting pair of Piano Trios. The First is a gem, full of lovely melodies and virtuoso turns by the players. Pianist Susan Tomes does the brilliant piano part with gorgeous tone and rhythmic bounce. Listen to the Andante movement, drawn from folk sources and played to the hilt by the Florestans. The Second Trio, from 1892, is notable for its unusual five-movement structure--large-scale outer movements flank three short inner ones. In the center is an Andante that packs a lot of power in its brief timespan, especially when played with the Florestan’s intensity. Alongside some fascinating fugal writing, Saint-Saens provides a strikingly virtuosic piano part and string writing that displays the many colors commanded by the Florestan's violinist and cellist. In both works, balances are ideal, the sound transparent. Here's a perfect introduction to Saint-Saens's chamber music. -- Dan Davis