Hartley Piano Trio - Spohr: Piano Trios Nos. 2 & 4 (1995)

Louis (Ludwig) Spohr (1784-1859) is known mainly as inventor of conductor's baton and as author of violin concertos (at his time, he was second violinist after Paganini). Some of his 15 violin concertos became basic material for studying violinists. But he had also written a lot of music in all genres (9 symphonies, about 30 string quartets, clarinet concertos, operas, etc.). His music had influence on such great composers as Mendelssohn, Schumann and Brahms. During his lifetime, he was considered as great composer of the Beethoven range. Unfortunately, in XX century the most of his music was put in oblivion, and only now we can observe slow revival of Spohr.

This disc has #s 2 and 4, both infectious and memorable works, like the Larghetto of the second trio (written in 1842). The Hartley Piano Trio plays with a fine, warm feel for this music, and the sound is beautiful. Good ensemble work. Good romantic trios.