Mozart - Piano Trios KV 502, 542 & 564

The Guardian 80

Rautio Piano Trio
(Resonus)

The Rautio Piano Trio, which specialises in period performance, was established at the Royal Academy of Music and at the International Musicians Seminar, Prussia Cove in Cornwall. This is their debut recording for Resonus. Pianist Jan Rautio here plays a fortepiano (tuned to A=430 Hz in unequal temperament), with cellist Adi Tal and violinist Jane Gordon using gut strings and lighter, shorter bows. The result is playing of great agility and intimacy which immediately solves some of the balance problems in Mozart’s trios when played on a modern grand, especially in accompanying figures. It’s an impressive achievement, a disc to return to often.