Piano Trios of the 1920s

• Main performer: Trio Kairos
• Booklet languages: German, English
• Time: 66:11
• Release Date: 2004

Review

Trio Kairos' 2004 debut on Musicaphon is a rewarding survey of piano trios composed in the 1920s by a handful of important composers on the brink of discovering their true voices. Much of this early modernist music exhibits the mordant wit, ironic tone, and staunch anti-Romanticism of the postwar generation, yet also displays feelings of uncertainty and searching. To varying degrees, these characteristics are embodied in Dmitry Shostakovich's brittle and Trio No. 1 in C minor, Op. 8 (1923), Frank Martin's bracing Trio on Popular Irish Folk Tunes (1925), Ernest Bloch's hauntingly evocative Three Nocturnes for piano trio (1924), and Aaron Copland's brooding Vitebsk -- Study on a Jewish Theme (1929). On a different tack, Gaspar Cassadò's bright Piano Trio in C major (1926) reflects the strong folklorist influence that emerged in Spanish music of the decade. Violinist Solveigh Rose, cellist Bettina Barbara Bertsch, and pianist Christiane Behn have not only put together a refreshing and fascinating program -- thankfully, free of any overly familiar but out-of-place Classical or Romantic trios -- but have also performed the music to high standards, with a full awareness of the composers' intentions as well as a perfect balance of ensemble cohesion and individual expression. With vibrant sound and wonderfully lifelike presence added to the list of this CD's fine qualities, it's hard to resist this excellent album. ~ Blair Sanderson, Rovi

Performances

Composer	Title	Time
Dmitry Shostakovich	Piano Trio No. 1 in C minor, Op. 8	12:42
Frank Martin	Trio on Popular Irish Folk Tunes, for piano, violin & cello	15:39
Ernest Bloch	Nocturnes (3), for piano, violin & cello	8:23
Aaron Copland	Vitebsk, study on a Jewish Theme, for piano trio	12:35
Gaspar Cassadó	Piano Trio in C major	16:52

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