This is the debut release from the Rautio Piano Trio, and it’s an assured debut indeed. They perform three of Mozart’s Piano Trios (he only managed to write six, more’s the pity), the Trio in B Flat K502, the Trio in E, K542, and the Trio in G, K564. Mozart wrote these trios over the course of several years, during which time he also wrote The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni. It might be me being tempted to hear things Mozart never intended, but I feel as though the breezily conversational writing of these trios is indebted to his operatic writing. There’s plenty of cheerful Mozartian melodic lines passing around the ensemble that can’t help but bring a smile to one’s face.

These trios were composed specifically for Mozart himself to perform in Viennese concerts. Being well aware of the monetary potential in creating music that could sell, you can almost imagine Mozart composing with one eye on the audience as the movements unfold. The trios are filled with an almost palpable sense of delight in the way the music twists and turns.

Pianist Jan Rautio performs here on a fortepiano that once belonged to Christopher Hogwood, and, like Hogwood, Rautio plays with a similar sense of easy control. Violinist Jane Gordon and cellist Adi Tal give these pieces the breathing space that’s required – the liner notes point out that the relatively quiet fortepiano can be easily overpowered by overenthusiastic string players.

I only have one very simple criticism – the cover image absolutely does not live up to the charms of the disc inside. One moodily shot picture of piano strings does not a make. Don’t be fooled by the dull design, and you’ll find a fine debut by a tightly-knit trio.

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