gramophone magazine

“Absolute magic”  

“Unforgettable"

"Stumpf and Kaplan are superb…Weiss leads her mates in all sorts of merry chases, as if the composer were at the keyboard"

”Weiss emerges.... as if rising from another world”

“beautifully recorded”

“Everything about their Archduke is memorable: the interplay of the voices, the way they smooth out the contrary movement of different lines and planes, and let the music unfold rather than just take place.”

“They phrase their dialogues with care and grace, yet they can be deft and incisive; there is a sense of movement continually being created.”

World music review

"With the excellent performance of the Weiss Kaplan Stumpf Trio this set is the one to go for. Their deeply communicative and musical playing is well suited to these majestic works.

Like the legendary Beaux Arts Trio, the Weiss Kaplan Stumpf Trio’s trademark is an uncommonly rich and full tone and the kind of rapt and attentive ensemble that only comes from magical empathy that they wear like a second skin from years of playing together."

fanfare magazine

"This is the best set since the classic set on EMI with the young Danial Barenboim, Pinchas Zukerman, and Jacquline du Pré."

 "Five stars: An inspiring set, the best in decades"

 "The performances are superb in a way that speaks to a deep rapport with the composer”

 "The recorded sound is superb, capturing each instrument in perfect balance. No previous recordings I’ve heard, can match it sonically.”

 "the spirit of Beethoven’s music comes through with profound understanding.”

 "You are immersed in totally engrossing interpretations that evoke every mood the score contains. From bravura to introspection, nothing is slighted, and the phrase-shaping brings out countless gestures that are beautiful, touching, and insightful.”

 
Transcentury Media

“remarkably cogent” 

“exemplary playing”

“comes as something of a revelation,
giving the music a ‘wow’ factor”

EARRElevant

"By far the best I have listened to in recent years"

"A new aesthetics has been created, much to the benefit of the Beethoven scores"

"Such great musical capacities, perfect interpretation, and stylistic consistency make this 3-disc album an extraordinary example of the highest quality recording"

“Meticulous mastery”

classical music sentinel

"one of the most convincing and cohesive recordings of Beethoven's music for piano trio so far."

"quite remarkable"

"It's a mark of great musicianship when they, the musicians as well as the printed score, fade into the background and all you hear is the composer's vision and intent"

ALBUM DETAILS

Total Time: 3 hours 49 minutes, 3 CDs

Producer: David Starobin
Engineer: Doron Schächter
Editors: Silas Brown, Ian Striedter, Jeremy Kinney, Doron Schächter
Mastering Engineer: Silas Brown
Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City
Violin: Antonio Stradivari, 1685, “The Marquis”
Cello: Nicolò Amati, 1642
Piano: Steinway Model D, courtesy of Steinway Artist Services
Cover Photograph: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco; Graphic Design: Casey Siu
Executive Producers: Becky and David Starobin

PROGRAM NOTES Download Album Booklet