These performances by the Vienna Piano Trio are sharply profiled, warm, and exciting. The players really know how to "swing" the German dance finale of the E-flat trio, yet they show plenty of sensitivity in the beautiful slow movements of the E minor, C major, and G major works (that of the E-flat trio is a charming little Andantino ed innocentemente). They also pace the first movement of the E minor trio with an impressive feel for the music's emotional tensions and characteristic gestures (such as Haydn's always telling use of sudden pauses).

The finale of the G major trio is the famous Hungarian rondo, and like so many groups active these days this ensemble may be accused of laying on the paprika a bit too thickly, with exaggerated contrasts of tempo and dynamics--but it's certainly a legitimate approach. These are all mature works, showing the composer at his most beguilingly innovative, and if you're looking to dip into this still relatively little-known store of major pieces, then this extremely well recorded disc will be just the ticket.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com