The first CD volume of the Cummings Trio's complete Beethoven set includes one trio not issued on LP before: the first G major work. They approach it slowly, with careful exploration. discovery is at a higher premium than polish here: the music never dissolves into dissociation with the wood and gut which realize it.
The Allegro is chunky, conveying more struggle than brio; but the air lightens gradually and artfully as the trio progresses, through an impish Scherzo, to a Presto finale which almost aspires to levitation. The part-writing is everywhere most delicately balanced; weight is distributed with finesse, vibrato and tenuto discreetly used. The Scherzo, by the way, has two trios, not just the one we usually hear. The second one, only recently discovered, is included with certain justification, for it excitingly expands the already broad expressive range of the work as a whole.
The ear (or the external audio equipment) has to adjust to a more resonant acoustic for the previously issued Second and Third Trios, both of which receive fine performances. No review should bypass this CD's programme notes: Robert Simpson's thoughts go right to the heart of the matter and provide a bonus of positive enjoyment.'