Orr / York Piano Trio - Trio Pno 1-3 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

?It is no secret that twentieth century composers revered Bach for his contrapuntal genius. Anton Webern said himself InchYou find everything in Bach the development of cyclic forms, the conquest of the realm of tonality-the attempt at a summation of the highest order.Inch By presenting Bach and Webern side by side, the Richter Ensemble strives to highlight hidden connections between the two composers. The program begins with Bach's final work, The Art of Fugue, where Bach is at the apogee of his career. Bach displays his mastery of counterpoint in each fugue while expressing starkly different human emotions from ecstasy to absolute desperation, with succinctness and purpose. In the works for string quartet that span his career, Anton Webern utilizes the same traditional contrapuntal techniques that with the utmost concision grasp toward the ideal. Although inarguably modern in a style that stretches from free atonality to dodecaphonic, the expression is just as varied and powerful. The Richter Ensemble invites a new perspective, experience, and soundscape by performing these works on gut strings.

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!

Pro Arte Trio - Piano Trios [COMPACT DISCS] date 03/25/1994