TRIO SANTOLIQUIDO Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 6 (1952) - PACM044

Trio Santoliquido's Delightful Beethoven

Remastered for finest sound quality

The pianist is a classicist to her fingertips, throwing off pearl-like runs of notes with a consistently lovely tone, and her artistry is fully matched by her colleagues... - Tully Potter on Trio Santoliquido, Classic Record Collector

Trio Santoliquido's readings of the Beethoven Piano Trios are a continuing source of delight to me, and this 1955 recording of the sixth seems to suit them perfectly. (You will find three further recordings of Beethoven Trios on Divine Art CD 27803, including the partner to the present recording, Op. 70 No. 1, all remastered by Andrew Rose at Pristine Audio.)

The work is somewhat unusual in its four-movement structure during Beethoven's time, and the the music is particularly sunny in character, despite a rather sombre, reflective slow opening. In the first movement we do hear contrasts between light and shade in the two main themes, but their interaction is playful and charming. The graceful Allegretto of the second movement's rondo theme and variations is exquisite, and much of the movement shares a delicacy of touch with the lyrical third. The finale begins with a brief fanfare and a burst of dramatic energy before opening out into vibrant movement that appears to head inevitably to its positive conclusion.

Trio Santoliquido was founded in Rome in 1942 and from 1956 also played as the Quartetto di Roma with violist Bruno Giuranna, as well as contributing to chamber orchestra recordings by the Virtuosi di Roma under Renato Fasano. They suffered from being overshadowed by the Trio di Trieste, perhaps because its members had other musical interests. All three taught and were soloists; violinist Pelliccia also took part in the Quintetto Boccherini and played viola; and the Russian-born cellist, Massimo Amfitheatrof, was equally busy.

Andrew Rose