I was bowled over by Kavakos, Ma and Ax’s recent recording of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony as arranged by Colin Matthews (3/22). This time around, to distil the Pastoral, the trio turned to pianist Shai Wosner. In a radio interview regarding this collaboration, Wosner revealed that he was completely unaware of the 1852 piano trio arrangement by Christian Gottlieb Belcke, superbly recorded a few years back by the Beethoven Trio Bonn (AVI-Music, 10/20). That may have been for the best. Wosner said that he aimed to highlight the music’s ‘conversational mode’, and I’d argue he’s done exactly that. Listen, say, in the ‘Scene by the Brook’ starting at 2'42", where he passes the bassoon solo first to the cello and then to the piano, unlike Belcke, who sticks with the cello for each statement.

Kavakos, Ma and Ax play with profound sensitivity throughout, and the symphony’s many magical moments – those slowly shifting harmonies in the first movement’s development section (starting at 5'15"), for example, or the most rapturous pages of the finale (as at 1'28") – lose next to nothing in translation. (Note, too, in the latter instance, how Wosner’s piano-writing is so much closer to Beethoven’s own.)

Op 1 No 3 is equally alluring. Ax has a special flair for music of the Classical era, and his elegantly crisp and articulate playing here is a delight. What impressed me most, though, is the subtle flexibility of the ensemble as a whole. Their interpretations are fleet without being hectic, and they are not afraid to take a bit of time when the music requires more breathing room, as in the harmonic adventurousness of the first movement at 7'12".

It must be said, too, that a decade or so into their collaboration, Kavakos, Ma and Ax have really melded into a supremely taut unit. Even Kavakos and Ma’s tone sounds more blended now. Sony’s recording is clear and well-balanced, although I find the lack of any booklet note puzzling. No matter. I only hope that this ‘Beethoven for Three’ series continues. Can we have Nos 4 and 7 next, please?