Borodin Trio - Dvořák: Piano Trios Nos. 1-4 (2005)

This two-CD set pulls together the Borodin Trio's recordings of all four of Dvorák's piano trios into one package. These were originally recorded between 1983 and 1992, and despite the different dates, there is a consistency of sound in them. That sound has an ambient coldness that isn't warmed up by the music, and it balances the instruments almost equally, to the point where when the piano has the melody it doesn't stick out much from the violin and cello. It leaves the impression that hearing the Borodin Trio live would be the best way to fully appreciate its performance, because even if it were in a bad sounding hall, you would still be able to see their reactions to the music and each other. The Borodin Trio has such energy in the fast movements of these trios, and at times such passion in them, that it begs for a closer, more personal audience. The Trio No. 3 and the Dumky Trio are particularly emotional, and the Borodin Trio brings out the tragedy in them in a way that is made more touching because the players carefully control their emotion. On the other hand, because they never exaggerate anything, the scherzo of the Trio No. 1 could be a little looser and more playful. Nevertheless, there is a richness of life in the Borodin Trio's performance of these Dvorák trios even if the vibrancy of it is quashed by the recording's sound. ~ Patsy Morita