Horn Trios

Excellence abounds when it comes to the Brahms Piano Trios on disc, especially considering recent versions from Nicholas Angelich and the Capuçons (Virgin), the Florestan Trio (Hyperion), and the Abegg Trio (Tacet). To these references we now can add the Trio Wanderer, who has thoroughly digested, internalized, and transcended these scores' technical and musical challenges. So many marvelous details transpire over the course of the performances that it is difficult to know where to begin.

Since it was founded in 2015, this vivacious trio has revelled in big ideas and committed itself to refreshing great works of the piano trio repertory with a new dynamic. Following its debut recording of the complete Beethoven piano trios, no less, Trio Sōra has now delved into all that Brahms has to offer in the oeuvre for its second album, this Nme on the La Dolce Volta label.

Un rayon de soleil traverse l’azur du petit matin et réchauffe le cœur d’une douce caresse… Dès le premier mouvement (largo) du Trio en la Majeur, Sébastien Marq expose son jeu doux et velouté, léger et transcendant. Et l’on s’émerveille, béat, devant la beauté du son, la justesse des sentiments, et ce toucher si délicat qui vous berce et vous emmène dans un jardin d’Eden. Le voyage s’achève sur quatre mêmes notes, plus suaves et doucereuses que les précédentes.

Farrenc’s Piano Trios are full of dynamic energy. The Third Piano Trio interestingly replaces the violin with a clarinet and flute, and was praised by the contemporary music press for its “perfection of form, charm and elegance”.