Ma / Ax - Piano Trio - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

TrioMats - Piano Trios [COMPACT DISCS] date 08/28/2001

There are only world premiere recordings on this concluding Volume 3 of the wonderful music of Amanda Maier (1853-1894), including a recently re-discovered masterpiece the piano trio in E flat! The previous two volumes of this remarkable, Swedish-German violinist and composer, married to composer Julius Röntgen, have been great successes. On this third volume, violinist Cecilia Zilliacus's and Bengt Forsberg's loving playing is backed up by cellist Kati Raitinen, second violinist Julia-Maria Kretz, and Johanna Persson, viola. Rising-star-pianist David Huang also appears in a four hand piece. Swedish violinist and composer Amanda Maier was the first female graduate in music direction from the Royal College of Stockholm. She performed concerts in Sweden and abroad, and began composing her first works, which she often premiered. With this album, her entire catalogue is now available.

For this album, we have decided to record three works written between 1916 and 1926. In that period marked by the First World War and it's aftermath, itis remarkable to note these three composers' widely varying creative approaches and ideas. Composed during a summer stay at the French seaside resort of Capbreton, Frank Martin's piano trio has accompanied us on our journey as an ensemble ever since we were students. It's unique melodic approach combined with complex rhythms based on Irish and Celtic folk music always remain a wonderful challenge and never cease to rekindle our enjoyment in making music together! Two of us - Gergana and Pavlin - have been familiar with the music of Pancho Vladigerov ever since early childhood. His sole piano trio, a monumental work in A Minor, captivates us with it's original melodies and harmonies. Although Vladigerov finished writing it during his studies in Berlin, we also find that it has unmistakable traces of Bulgarian folklore. With joy and enthusiasm, we have incorporated it into our repertoire; now, with this recording, we are thrilled to make it known to a wider audience of interested music lovers. Joaquin Turina's frequently performed Second Piano Trio is a work we discovered somewhat by chance in 2011. After only one rehearsal we were already fascinated with this colorful, highly emotional composition that presents Spanish harmonies and rhythms in a thoroughly authentic way, as in the dancelike Scherzo in typical 5/8 meter. We always look forward to playing this work, renewing our acquaintance with it as with an old beloved friend, and having the opportunity to share it with the audience!