Extraordinary how Schubert, while using the simplest of means, can tap into both the heart and the mind of the listener. That is not to say that there is anything simplistic about the music featured in the ONDINE double cd that features violinist Christian Tetzlaff, cellist Tanja Tetzlaff and, the late Lars Vogt, a pianist who joined his friends and longtime collaborators, the Tetzlaff’s to make this album of late works by Schubert and who died just weeks after the recording had been made.

The Piano Trio No. 2 in Eb for piano, violin, and cello, D. 929, was one of the last compositions completed by Schubert in 1827. It was published shortly before the composer’s death and first performed at a private party.  The neglected Notturno in E-Flat Major, D. 897 is a single-movement piece that was possibly rejected as the slow movement of another composition. The Rondo Brillant in B Minor, D. 895, another late work, penned in 1826.  The Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano in A minor D. 821, later adapted to the cello, was written by Schubert in Vienna in November 1824.  

The musicianship, the care, the technically impeccable and interpretatively insightful approach that this trio of chamber music specialists brings to the playing of Schubert’s two piano trios, and to the rarely heard Notturno and Rondo Brillant are remarkable, providing over an hour and a half of listening pleasure. Tanja Tetzlaff takes a solo turn passionately playing Schubert’ Arpeggione Sonata with Lars Vogt at the piano.

This album stands as a testament of Lars Vogt’s outstanding musicianship together with his superbly resourceful long-time chamber music partners Christian Tetzlaff and Tanja Tetzlaff.

Rafael de Acha © 2023