Its members may not be the original line-up at the present, but the Vienna Piano Trio has been an active chamber music ensemble for over 30 years now, and it shows. There's a natural ease to their playing that lends everything they touch a high level of authenticity. And we're not talking about getting all the notes right here, but rather the pneuma behind these notes. They perfectly project Beethoven's youthful 'classical' enthusiasm and audacity in the Piano Trio Op. 1, No. 3, as well as his 'romantic' hunger in the slow movement of the Piano Trio Op. 97, a work that holds a certain status within his output. When first performed in public in 1814 with Beethoven himself at the piano, this was to be his final public appearance as a pianist.

Stefan Mendl (piano), David McCarroll (violin) and Clemens Hagen (cello) play as one with such fluid dynamics that they never feel the need to exaggerate or overdramatize anything to get the music across. The hallmark of a superlative chamber ensemble is when they fade into the background. And what I mean by this is quite simple. If the listener fails to be distracted by the idea of three musicians working and gesticulating away at their instruments, and only hears the music, then these musicians have achieved seamless symbiosis between the composer's intent and the listener's mind and soul. What better way to describe the musicianship of the Vienna Piano Trio.