Album

Smetana Trio

Tchaikovsky & Dvořák: Piano Trios

Catalogue Number: SU 3949-2
Published: 8th August 2008
Genre: Chamber Music
Format: 1 CD
This album has received following awards:
  • Chamber Choice, BBC Music Magazine (2008)
The Smetana Trio, comprising the magnificent Jitka Čechová on piano, Jana Vonášková's tender and passionate violin, and the sturdy underpinning of Jan Páleníček'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 Dvořák's triosand 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 Dvořák'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 (by the way, one of thelongest piano trios there is) 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 havegrasped it with passion and apprehension of the "broad Slavonic soul".


Smetana Trio: inimitable Dvořák and Tchaikovsky, played with passion and torrential expressivity
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in A minor, Op. 50
1. Pezzo elegiaco. Moderato assai. Allegro giusto 17:55
2. Tema con variazioni. Andante con moto 25:55
Antonín Dvořák
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in G minor, Op. 26, B 56
3. Allegro moderato 12:01
4. Largo 05:47
5. Scherzo. Presto 05:47
6. Finale. Allegro non tanto 05:45