E.T.A. Hoffmann (1776-1822)
"Chamber Music"
Grand Piano Trio in E major
6 Italian Duets for Soprano, Tenor, and Piano
Harp Quintet in C minor

Beethoven Trio, Ravensburg (Trio)
Dorothee Mields, soprano
Jan Kobow, tenor
Parisii-Quartet (Quintet)
CPO 999309 [55:06]

E.T.A. Hoffman was a versatile professional most known for his
supernatural stories and novels.  However, he was also a fine composer
as proven by this CPO disc of chamber works.  Threre's nothing profound
in these pieces, but they flow very well and Hoffmann clearly has a
penchant for tight construction and excellent balance.

The best work on the disc is the Grand Piano Trio which shows great
vitality and drive.  The Harp Quintet is a little less engaging but worth
a listen now and then.  I wasn't impressed with the Duets which are set
to cloying text with the common theme that "I can't live without you".
How much of that can one person take continuously?  Also, the soprano
has a wonderful voice, and I get irritated when the tenor gets in her
way.  He isn't a bad singer, but Mields is leagues ahead of him.

Summary: Hoffmann is a little lower on the scale than Hummel or Spohr
and significantly lower than von Weber.  Still, the Grand Piano Trio is
a gem of a work for the time period, and I'll keep the disc for that
work only.  I give the disc a low-priority recommendation.  Performances
are splendid except for that intrusive tenor.

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
"Piano Masterworks, Vol. 3"
Seventeen Landler, D. 366
Four Impromptus, D. 899
Sonata in A minor, D. 845
Allegretto in C minor, D. 900
Diabelli Variation, D. 718
Sonata in C major, D. 840
Sonata in D major, D. 850

Anthony Goldstone, piano
Divine Art 2-1204 [2cds - 148:22]

Anthony Goldstone's series of Schubert's solo piano music has reached
its conclusion with Volume 3.  As with the previous volumes, this is a
2-cd set of generous proportion.  Golstone is never less than interesting,
and he is thoroughly distinctive when he turns on the power and impetuosity.
Unfortunately, he doesn't do this often enough.  When he does, such as
in the Four Impromptus, he's among the best Schubert pianists on record.
Recorded sound is superb with a very wide soundstage ready to pick up
every nuance and detail.  It's dynamic range is outstanding, and Goldstone's
dynamic range is also wide.

Summary: A hearty recommendation for this volume and the previous ones
as well.  Goldstone is a major-league pianist who compares well to the
Schubert of Kempff and Uchida.  I wouldn't put him at the top with Richter
and Brendel, but the next level is an admirable achievement.

Piotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Concert Fantasia in G major for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 56
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16

Igor Ardasev, piano
Prague Symphony Orchestra
Leos Svarovsky, conductor
Supraphon 3757 [60:58]

In a nutshell, Ardasev is wonderful, Svarovsky has some weak moments,
and the sound only blooms at high volume levels.  This might seem like
a weak recommendation, but Ardasev is worth the price of admission.  His
performance of the Concert Fantasia is particularly stunning as he sheds
all traces of histrionics and gives us 'real emotions for real people'.
There's also that fantastic cadenza to the Prokofiev Concerto in G minor.
It might well be the longest and strongest cadenza in history; at its
conclusion the entire weight of Hell is bellowing upward incessantly.

Summary: Ardasev deserves nothing but the best performing forces and
sound quality.  However, you take what you can get, and the Supraphon
disc is recommended for the Ardasev interpretations.  Keep an eye on
this young man, for he has all the tools to reach the zenith.

Don Satz
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