The Borodin Trio - Rachmaninov - The "Elegiac" Piano Trios (1984)

Because of its relative brevity, the early first of Rachmaninov's Elegiac trios, in one movement, seems to be something of a favorite on disc (it works very nicely as a companion to Tchaikovsky's expansive trio, for instance, or to Shostakovich's two). But there can be no doubt about its inferiority to the masterpiece that is his second trio. Both works owe a lot to Tchaikovsky's work, but whereas the first - a student work - is slightly derivative (even though it displays certain characteristic features and is in general a fine work), the second incorporates the inspirations (it was after all written as a lament on the death of Tchaikovsky) in the assured, individual idiom of Rachmaninov's mature style.
Indeed, the long first movement of the second trio must be one of Rachmaninov's finest utterances; with in turns dramatic, beautifully wistful and emotionally harrowing themes and figures wrought together in an ambitious structure, the movement comes across as one of the finest examples of trio writing ever, regardless of composer.
The Borodin provides some eloquent performances, perhaps better at conveying fervor and emotional stress than achieving a beautiful sound - but the overall experience is a powerful one. Furthermore, they are also very much able to weave the various elements into a very convincing whole. In one version or another, this is music that must be heard, and no one will go wrong with the performances here. Very strongly recommended.