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I'm doing a competition in June. For the final round, I have the choice of these Russian piano trios, none of which I have ever played:

Arensky – Trio #1 in d minor, Op. 32
Glinka – Trio “Pathetique” in d minor
Rachmaninoff – Trio ”The Elegiaque” #2 in d minor, Op. 9
Tchaikovsky – Trio in a minor, Op.50
Shostakovich – Trio #2 in e minor, Op.67
Rubinstein - Trio Op. 15, No. 1 [in F major]

I've spent all day listening to them all, and the cumulative effect is making me a little depressed, but what wonderful music. I don't expect Piano World to decide for me, of course - only I can do that - but for the ones you know, what do you think of them?

I do have some first impressions: the Shostakovich is spikey, engaging but seems quite easy, as long as you're confident in your counting ability. Tchaikovsky is lush, inspired, but extremely long and difficult (not that there's anything wrong with that). The Rachmaninoff is half the length of the Tchaikovsky, free in style, also extremely difficult. The Arensky was the big surprise for me - a completely delightful piece from a relative unknown. I can't find a complete recording of the Rubinstein, so I'm not really able to evaluate it, but I have to consider it a strong possibility, because of the passages I was able to find here. I am, however, willing to dismiss the Glinka, because it's someone else's transcription of his trio for piano, clarinet and bassoon and the purist in me rejects that.

Are you thinking of the other Rachmaninoff Trio? The D minor is massive.

Yes, but the Tchaikovsky is 40 minutes - cut!

I wanted to say Taneyev but he was not on the list

But I would go for Rachmaninoff! Good luck

I think the Rachmaninoff lasts at least 45 or 50 minutes too. They are pretty similar in scale.

Oh, wow, what I heard was just the first movement.. lol. But it's still not quite that long.

The Compinsky Trio's Rachmaninoff Op.9 comes to 31:11
The Rembrandt Trio's uncut Tchaikovsky comes to 49:29
The Rembrandt Trio's Arensky comes to 24:51
Voces Intimae's Shostakovich Op.67 comes to 26:46

having performed the Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovitch and Arensky trio's, I must admit that the Arensky is the most comfortable to play, not only for the pianist! and as to musical value does very well in comparison to the other mentoned works, it should be played more often. I agree with feebee that Taneyev should be part of the choice!

Are you counting all three movements? I find such a timing extraordinarily unlikely.

Maybe there were cuts.

RACHMANINOV, S.: Trio Elegiaque No. 2 (Compinsky Trio) (1949)

Rachmaninov, Sergei
Trio elegiaque No. 2 in D minor, Op. 9

1. I. Moderato - Allegro vivace 00:13:23
2. II. Quasi variazione 00:11:37
3. III. Allegro risoluto 00:06:11

Yeah I'm pretty sure that that particular rach trio runs for about 45-50 mins (if I remember correctly).

The first one is about 15

Thanks guys, I sat down with scores for the Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff today and decided based on that to order the Arensky, lol. It's got better writing than the Tchaikovsky and better tunes than Rocky.

Good choice! Have fun and do dear old Anton Stepanovitch justice, he deserves it!