I might not be able to discern the slightest subtleties in classical performances, but I know enough to know that this recording does not deserve a one-star rating. While I can see potential complaints in Mutter's or Rostropovich's perceived self-involved playing styles, I don't find that to be applicable here. In fact, it is Giuranna, a world-class viola player but not the household name the other two are, who provides the necessary cohesion to unite these masters. In my book one-star reviews should be reserved for truly incompetent musical efforts. Clearly the virtuosity of Mutter, Rostropovich and Giuranna should never be in question. Since the String Trios were written by Beethoven as a sort of warm-up for the Early String Quartets, these compositions, and this performance for that matter, may not be deserving of essential status, but they certainly should not be dismissed.
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