Myra Hess, Jelly d’Arányi, Felix Salmond, Gaspar Cassadó: Brahms, Schubert

The Strad Issue: September 2025

Description: Chamber musical rarities from a much-loved pianist

Musicians: Myra Hess (piano) Jelly d’Arányi (violin) Felix Salmond, Gaspar Cassadó (cello)

Works: Brahms: Piano Trio no.2. Schubert: Piano Sonata D664; Piano Trio D898.

Catalogue number: BIDDULPH 85061-2

This disc is notable for restoring to the catalogue the only two recordings made by the notable duo of Myra Hess and Jelly d’Arányi – and no-one will complain that on each occasion they are joined by a great cellist.

Schubert’s B flat Trio is one of those works where the first recording virtually blotted out all challengers. Cortot, Thibaud and Casals, with countless performances behind them, made a miraculous version in 1926 and inevitably Hess, d’Arányi and Felix Salmond, brought together in New York the following year with an eye to the approaching centenary, could not quite match it. But there is much to enjoy: Salmond’s lovely tone, d’Arányi’s ethereal playing, especially delectable in the finale, and Hess’s artistry throughout. The performances are similar in outline, with the Scherzo reduced to one 78rpm side – Cortot and co are slightly faster and more sparkling, Hess and co a little more expansive.

In 1935 Gaspar Cassadó joined Hess and d’Arányi in an occasional trio and they recorded the Brahms C major – curiously, they played it at Queen’s Hall next day. We hear much grandeur of phrasing, as well as virtuosic scurrying in the Scherzo, moods that are combined in the finale. Sadly, d’Arányi is in decline: she had suffered injuries in a 1934 car accident and in 1939, after just two trio concerts in the National Gallery series, Hess would terminate their duo. I do not want to make too much of this, though, as the violinist is still a great artist.

The trios frame Hess’s other Schubert centenary recording, the ‘little’ A major Sonata D664, delightfully played. Notes are by Hess’s biographer Jessica Duchen and transfers are excellent, give or take some 78rpm surface noise.

TULLY POTTER