Mendelssohn’s Mozartian inheritance

Violinist Monica Huggett teams up with pianist Eric Zivian and cellist Tanya Tomkins for an intimate Mendelssohn performance

Composer: Mendelssohn
Repertoire: Piano Trios Nos 1 & 2 
Artists: The Benvenue Fortepiano Trio
Rating:  4/5
Genre: Instrumental
Label: Avie AV 2187

Mendelssohn’s post-Classical soundworld is ideally suited to original instruments, as is demonstrated by this perfect coupling led by violinist Monica Huggett, whose sublime recording of Mendelssohn’s First String Quintet and String Octet with Hausmusik (Virgin/EMI) is required listening. Here, with two highly gifted American colleagues – pianist Eric Zivian and cellist Tanya Tomkins – she gives readings of the piano trios that emphasise the music’s drawing-room intimacy and gently undulating emotions. Whereas the all-star team led by Isaac Stern (Sony) look forward to Brahms, The Benvenue Fortepiano Trio emphasises Mendelssohn’s Mozartian inheritance.