Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70, No. 1 "Ghost"
"Kakadu Variations" in G major, Op. 121a
Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op. 1, No. 1
Piano Trio in G major, Op. 1, No. 2
Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97, "Archduke"
Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3
Fourteen Variations in E-flat major, Op. 44
Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op. 70, No. 2

When performing the chamber music of Beethoven, musicians need to first and foremost uncover its mindset, its temperament, be it angry, playful, morose or exuberant. Only then will everything, the rhythmic pulse, expressivity and dynamics come together and fall into place. The Weiss Kaplan Stumpf Trio, Yael Weiss (piano), Mark Kaplan (violin) and Peter Stumpf (cello), accomplish this and in the process deliver interpretations with a natural ebb and flow that sound uncontrived and spontaneous, with focused intensity one moment and fanciful playfulness the next, or whatever the music's character calls for. Within the "Archduke" Trio for example, they set a completely different atmosphere from the Scherzo's lighthearted nature to the following Andante cantabile's somberly noble character. Or better yet, how they easily change costumes during the "Ghost" Trio, between the nervous energy of the opening Allegro vivace movement and the mysterious atmosphere of the following Largo assai ed espressivo is quite remarkable. Even within the more formally structured and emotively restrained early trios, these three artists expose the creative spark which ignited their conception. 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, free of superfluous gestures and mannerisms. This has to be one of the most convincing and cohesive recordings of Beethoven's music for piano trio so far.