Glinka: Trio Pathetique in D minor

The lyric charm of these two lamenting trios is all-encompassing of Romantic Russian chamber music, and is reflected in the empathy of the performances by this outstanding Russian trio. Glinka’s Trio was originally scored for clarinet, bassoon and piano, but—especially in Russia—the music is more often heard in this version. The original use of wind instruments may have led Glinka to encapsulate the work into four relatively brief movements; in any event, the Trio is beautifully composed and proportioned. It is prefaced in the score by a quotation in French which can be translated as ‘I have known love only through the unhappiness it causes’—the consequence of a series of unsuccessful love affairs.

Tchaikovsky’s heartbreak was the untimely death of Nikolai Rubinstein in 1881 aged only 45, and soon after he composed his only Piano Trio in his dear friend’s memory. Elegiac throughout reflecting markings in the score such as piangendo (weeping), both this trio and Glinka’s are perhaps musical manifestations of the saying: ‘When a Russian is sad, he is very sad: when a Russian is very sad, then he is at his very best.’

Distinguished chamber ensemble, The Fibonacci Sequence present their fifth disc in the instrument-led series of recordings focusing on music for clarinet.

Now in its eighteenth year, the Fibonacci Sequence is considered one of the UK’s most distinguished chamber ensembles with a wide-ranging discography and impressive reviews. The ensemble has performed at the world’s leading festivals and venues and it has been chosen for the season 2012-2013 by the Concert Promotions Network.

The up-and-coming young members of Trio Elegy perform a blend of works by the old master Mikhail Glinka and the imaginative Swiss composer Daniel Schneider. Clarinet, bassoon and piano chat, laugh and dream in such a virtuoso and sonorous way that you cannot fail to be spellbound.

On this CD the distinguished US-based Poulenc Trio, a group which features piano, oboe and bassoon, perform a fascinating selection of works for this unusual combination by Francis Poulenc himself, Charles Triébert & Eugène Jancourt, Glinka, and André Previn.

The Poulenc Trio is one of the most active touring piano-wind chamber music ensembles in the world. Since its founding in 2003, the Trio has performed in more than 30 US states and at music festivals around the world, including the Ravello Festival in Italy, the San Miguel de Allende Festival in Mexico, and the White Nights Festival in Russia, where the group toured with, and premiered two new works with, violinist Hilary Hahn. The Trio has a strong commitment to commissioning, performing and recording new works from living composers. Since its inception they have greatly expanded the repertoire available for the oboe, bassoon and piano with 20 new works written for and premiered by them, including two triple concertos for Trio and full orchestra.

Brings together works by four composers at the forefront of the musical life of St Petersburg at a time when the city was the centre of Russian musical culture.

Balakirev’s Octet has no other current modern recording.

London Conchord Ensemble is one of London’s most versatile chamber ensembles; their tour schedule includes a recital at Wigmore Hall with Dame Felicity Lott.

“The Ensemble clicks perfectly, the playing seemingly effortless and a regard for precision never stifling the musicians’ natural feeling for life and breath.” BBC Music Magazine.