The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here is a fresh transfer of probably the first recording of this 1845 Trio by Felix Mendelssohn (a piece I consider to be one of his supreme masterpieces, alongside the Octet and Overture to "A Midsummer Night's Dream"), dating from December, 1925. Recorded in England, and taken from American Viva-tonal pressings, the discographical info is as follows: Columbia Masterworks 67212-D/67215-D (matrices AX1190/97 -- recorded: 12/9/25).

The fabulous performers are: Albert Sammons (violin); Lionel Tertis (viola); William Murdoch (piano). N.B. that Tertis plays the part originally written for violincello on his oversized viola, and it works well.

The recording quality is surprisingly good and rich-sounding, with only a touch of groove wear noticeable on the peaks. There is, however, an idiosyncratic "fourth instrument" sometimes heard, namely a light thumping, an artifact of English Columbia's recording apparatus (heard also in some recordings from the following year).

1. Allegro energico e con fuoco
2. Andante espressivo
3. Scherzo: Molto allegro quasi presto
4. Finale: Allegro appassionato

Enjoy!

I finally listened to this and I really enjoyed it. It has quite a lovely and very natural sound! And rather dramatic! Who says the English are cold? And I have to say I was more taken by Sammmon's playing than I am usually , I find his vibrato often falls into wobble but here he's very fine indeed. Tertis has moments of true brilliance and others where they might have done another take but it all works very well! I wonder what piano they used? It doesn't take heavy playing very well , but sounds lovely in more lyrical passages. And they should have had the tuner at the session. Little personal bias here.

Jim