Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837)
        Trios for Piano, Violin, and Cello

Disc 1:
Trio in E flat major, Op. 93
Trio in G major, Op. 65
Trio in E major, Op. 83
Disc 2:
Trio in E flat major, Op. 12
Trio in E flat major, Op. 22
Trio in G major, Op. 35
Trio in E flat major, Op. 96

Trio Parnassus
Recorded 1980's (location not provided)
MDG 303 0307-2 [60:59 + 60:40]

Rating: 6 of 6 Stars

Reviewer's Hummel Discography Background: The first Hummel recording I
ever heard was a Chandos disc of two piano concertos conducted by Bryden
Thomson with Stephen Hough on piano. Although many other Hummel discs
have been issued over the years, the Thomson/Hough has retained first
place for a rather obvious reason.  These performers give life to Hummel,
offering us a red-blooded composer with the widest range of emotional
content flowing from the man's music.  Other Hummel recordings have been
quite enjoyable, but they tend to give us pretty music that is architecturally
sound.  The premise appears to be that Hummel's music is very good, but
low on primitive energy and emotions.  I have heard recordings of Hummel's
solo piano works, his string quartets and other chamber works, a string
of fine concertos, and a few discs of sacred choral music.  With little
exception, these recordings do not reach the heart of Hummel's music,
content to go with the notion that Hummel's musical personality is a
relatively facile one.

The MDG Set: This reissued set has performances by the Trio Parnassus
that 'go for the throat' with a primitive energy, boldness, and strong
punctuation that opens up these piano trios and extends to a revised
commentary of Hummel's strengths as a master composer.  The traditional
view of Hummel's music as entertaining, delightful, expertly constructed,
and full of free-flowing melodic content is certainly apparent from
listening to the Trio Parnassus.  But they give us much more through
finding the life-force of Hummel's music, even making him sound like
a second Beethoven on occasion.

The Piano Trios: The set programs seven piano trios, although there
is an early Op. 2 trio omitted because Hummel never identified it as
a piano trio.  Each of the works has three movements: first movements
blending strong energy with tender motifs, slow second movements of fine
poignancy, and vibrant and propulsive final movements.  Further, Hummel
offers many opportunities for each of the three instruments to take
center stage.

Special Notice: There are two movements that I have been playing
repeatedly.  One is the 2nd Movement Un poco Larghetto from the Op.
93 Trio that has two luxurious and gorgeous themes capped off by a
determined and heroic motif (Disc 1, Tr.  2, 3:38) ; the contrast is
totally captivating.  The other piece is the 1st Movement Allegro of the
Op. 83 Trio.  In this masterful movement, Hummel puts all his inspiration
and composing skills to work with music of great thematic development,
propulsive blasts of heat, and true angst combined with absolutely
beguiling passages of tenderness and warmth.  Also, the compelling piano
runs are quite reminiscent of Mozart's best in the genre.

Sound Quality: The strings are clear as a bell with exceptional resonance.
However, the piano tone can be rather glassy in the higher registers.
Overall, it's an excellent soundstage that does justice to the superb
music and performances.

Don's Conclusions: This MDG set and the Chandos disc of piano concertos
featuring Stephen Hough are the two Hummel recordings that are essential
for the music library.  There are a few other Hummel discs that are
mighty fine, but these two give us as much of the composer's musical
personality as is humanly possible.  With such splendid performances,
Hummel becomes a worthy alternative to Haydn and Mozart as well as early
Beethoven.

Don Satz
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