Auerbach Dvorak Weinberg Piano Trios Trio Zimbalist Curtis Studio

The Smetana Trio continued its survey of Czech piano trios with this 2007 Supraphon disc coupling works by Antonin Dvorák, Bohuslav Martinu, and Zdenêk Fibich. As with the earlier discs in this series, the Smetana performs with equal measures of independence and interdependence. Each player has his/her own approach to the music and to the instruments. Violinist Jana Vonáskova-Nováková and cellist Jan Pálenícek don't always agree on the size of their vibratos, for example, and pianist Jitka Cechová doesn't always agree with string players on the inflection of rhythmic accents.

Founded 60 years ago by Menahem Pressler, Daniel Guilet and Bernard Greenhouse, the Beaux Arts Trio performed and recorded exclusively for Philips Classics until 1995. Celebrated for their outstanding chamber-music qualities, the Beaux Arts are one of the greatest ensembles in the history of recorded music. This special 60CD box set includes their extensive discography on Philips Classics and encompasses almost the entire piano trio literature.

Dvorak had an ambivalent relationship with Classical and Romantic traditions, something that is clearly exemplified in his piano trios. The Piano Trio in E minor, Op. 90 is a daring late work that uses popular moods and freer forms consisting of six Dumky – a melancholic and poetic musical form that draws from the composer inexhaustible melodic creativity. The Piano Trio in F minor, Op. 65 was influenced by the death of the composer’s mother and also by Dvorak having heard Brahms’ Piano Quintet, Op. 34, a work composed in the same key. Cyclic elements and fiery drama permeate the writing. “Individually excellent, they are even more impressive together”, wrote the Gazzetta di Mantova after a concert by the Italian-Swiss Trio des Alpes, thereby describing one of this Trio’s essential qualities: three independent, all-round successful personalities meeting as a trio. What attracts them is the quintessence of chamber music: dialogue, a shared sound and the blending of three instruments into a single whole.

Piano, violin, and violoncello: Trio Marvin's debut album presents to us all the energy that composers have bundled together in this instrumental combination since the Romantic period. Vita Kan, Marius Urba and Marina Grauman describe Echoes of War as their juxtaposition of works by Dmitri Shostakovich and Mieczyslaw Weinberg, two composers who were influenced by World War II and Stalinism. The three draw us into a rhythm of hope, despair, and grief, igniting a firework of bright colors. Perfection, passion and musical superiority: it's easy to understand the enthusiasm of the jurors of the ARD Music Competition 2018, the Mendelssohn Competition 2017 and other major competitions who have awarded the ensemble so many first prizes!