Rautio Piano Trio - Beethoven: Piano Trios Op. 70 No. 1 "Ghost", Op. 70 No. 2, WoO 39 & Hess 48 (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Piano Trio in E-Flat Major, Op. 70 No. 2: I. Poco sostenuto - Allegro ma non troppo
02. Piano Trio in E-Flat Major, Op. 70 No. 2: II. Allegretto
03. Piano Trio in E-Flat Major, Op. 70 No. 2: III. Allegretto ma non troppo
04. Piano Trio in E-Flat Major, Op. 70 No. 2: IV. Allegro
05. Allegretto for Piano Trio in B-Flat Major, WoO 39
06. Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70 No. 1 Ghost: I. Allegro vivace e con brio
07. Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70 No. 1 Ghost: II. Largo assai ed espressivo
08. Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70 No. 1 Ghost: III. Presto
09. Allegretto for Piano Trio in E-Flat Major, Hess 48

Beethoven’s two Op.70 Piano Trios emerge from a world shadowed by inner turmoil and spectral imagination. Written in 1808 at the height of his creative powers, the celebrated ‘Ghost’ Trio draws its haunting sobriquet from the desolate Largo assai, whose eerie atmosphere prompted Carl Czerny to recall the ghost’s appearance in Hamlet. Rumours of Beethoven’s fascination with Macbeth linger around the work’s sketches, deepening its air of mystery and foreboding. Yet these shadows are framed by music of radiant vitality, wit and luminous lyricism. Together, the Op.70 trios reveal Beethoven poised between darkness and transcendence: music haunted by despair, yet animated by defiance, humanity and irrepressible creative force. Performed here by the Rautio Piano Trio, this album continues the Trio’s survey into these masterful works.