Xyrion Trio
Nina Tichman (piano)
Ida Bieler (violin)
Maria Kliegel (cello)

Haydn’s misgivings about Beethoven’s third Piano Trio were not entirely unfounded: symphonic in conception, it was a breakthrough work – Beethoven’s first masterpiece and eventually one of his most popular chamber pieces – and retains its power to amaze to this day.

His Symphony No. 2 also broke through Classical conventions, a scherzo replacing the customary minuet. In the composer’s own arrangement for piano trio it loses none of its impact.

The youthful Allegretto in E flat is, in effect, a minuet without the expected trio section.

“[The Xyrion Trio] are terrific musicians….They play with flawless ensemble, subtle phrasing, and great rhythmic energy-- essential for Beethoven. What struck me most of all was their wonderful sense of architecture.” American Record Guide on 8.557723