Mozart and Smetana The Nobilis Trio at Steinway Hall - reviewed by HOWARD SMITH '... musically pleasurable.'

After sitting through this filmed recital and interview I'm somewhat baffled as to why it's found its way onto DVD.

We see and hear two contrasting trios (Mozart and Smetana) given committed yet hardly distinguished performances.

The camera sightlines are consistently routine and predictable and a short interview with the trio members while the inquisitor is 'out of shot' throughout tells the viewer little.

Finally, the ornate Steinway Hall performance area is cluttered with table lamps, plant vegetation and Doric-style plinths for floral arrangements; one such decoration looked like a gladioli display -- (I'm no botanist so here I may be mistaken).

In short the setting is distracting and does nothing whatsoever to enhance a chamber music event.

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