In the Septet Beethoven is at his most genial, his muse in full flow untinged by problems or worries. the playing on this disc is genial too but not always quite so expressive as I would have liked. Pianissimos, especially in the Schubertian slow movement and especially in clarinet and horn solos, are often too loud and not really expressive enough, but this is not, I think, entirely the players' fault. The clarinet sometimes booms in a curious way. but skill is much in evidence, perhaps a little too much so in the finale which is taken needlessly fast. But I much enjoyed the charming variations movement.
It is a surprise to find that Erich Binder, the leader in the Septet, switches to piano in the Clarinet Trio, and acquits himself well. Pianissimos are here more effective, and in the middle movement the cello solos are nicely expressive. In short, a worthy performance, though I rather regret the lack of a repeat in the first movement.'