Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50

Smetana Trio: inimitable Dvorák and Tchaikovsky, played with passion and torrential expressivity

The Smetana Trio, comprising the magnificent Jitka Cechová on piano, Jana Vonášková’s tender and passionate violin, and the sturdy underpinning of Jan Pálenícek’s vibrant cello, are today considered one of the very finest ensembles of their ilk.

After previous recordings mapping the peaks of Czech trio composition, on this CD the ensemble round off the set of Dvorák’s trios and at the same time venture beyond the borders of the Czech repertoire.

Their Tchaikovsky, however, surprises with a naturalness and torrential expressivity akin to that which in the case of Dvorák’s Dumky and Piano Trio No. 3 in F minor earned enthusiastic reviews and accolades (BBC Music Magazine Award 2007).

Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A minor (one of the longest piano trios there is) was composed as a tribute to the recently decease Nikolai Rubinstein, and can be understood as the composer’s attempt at overcoming his personal antipathy to the sonic combination of piano with violin or cello. The Smetana Trio have grasped it with passion and apprehension of the “broad Slavonic soul”.

In 1880 Tchaikovsky’s patron, Nadezhda von Meck, asked Tchaikovsky to write a work for her ‘house’ trio (which included the young Debussy), a request he initially refused. However, after Nicoai Rubenstein’s death in 1881 Tchaikovsky returned to the idea of a trio as a means of paying tribute to his friend.

Tchaikovsky rebuked the suggestion that the twelve variations of the second movement, with their unusual structure - theme and variations - depicted different aspects of Nicolai’s life. In fact Tchaikovsky wrote this music for the enjoyment of the performers which accounts for the trio’s popularity amongst chamber musicians.

This recording features an established trio each with high profile international careers. Pianist Yefim Bronfman apears regularly with the world’s greatest orchestras and has won widespread praise for his solo, chamber and orchestral recordings.

Truls Mørk’s reputation as a cellist of fierce intensity and grace has been built on performances throughout the world. He performs with the most distinguished orchestras including the New York, Berlin, Vienna, and London Philharmonic Orchestras.

Finally and arguably most importantly, violinist Gil Shaham is internationally recognised as one of today’s most virtuosic and engaging artists. His wide discography includes many award winning discs, including multiple Grammys. Gil’s most recent recordings have been produced for his own label, Canary Classics, which he established in 2004.

‘Shaham is warm and elegant, Mørk poised and thoughtful...Bronfman is a heart-on- sleeve type pianist, mediating grandly between his colleagues.’ Chicago Tribune, 2002

Gregor Piatigorksy plays three of the most beautiful cello concertos in the classical repertoire, by Dvorak, Saint Saens and Tchaikovsky.