This 2009 album features the piano trio known as
Ensemble Vivant and was originally released in 1994 on the IBS label and then again in 1996 on the Doremi label. Three releases in 15 years is pretty good for a classical album and is usually indicative of a first-rate recording or at least an exceptional remastering. Such is not the case here. The paltry liner notes -- which make no mention of the performers themselves and a ridiculous two sentences about the music on the program -- state that
Ensemble Vivant strives to perform "rare or unknown repertoire." To some extent, this is a fair statement. While the Fauré D minor Trio is hardly rare, the Schubert Nocturne and the Three Nocturnes of Bloch are not heard often, and the Four Pieces for Piano by Charles-Marie Widor are certainly a rarity. But no matter the quality of the ensemble's programming, the true test is in the performance.
Ensemble Vivant's playing is quite simply tedious and exhausting to listen to. Intonation is painfully poor at its worst and severely amateurish at its best. Rarely is there a sense of true cohesiveness and collaboration between the three players, rather coming across as individuals playing their parts instead of making chamber music together. Sound quality, which is lauded in the liner notes, is extremely sterile and uninviting. The recorded sound of the strings is far too bright and present with no warmth or blend with the piano. Given these insurmountable problems, listeners are unquestionably advised to look elsewhere for recordings of these worthwhile compositions.