Masterpieces Among Peers

"Joining the Trios of Johannes Brahms and Frank Bridge on one album may appear on first glance as an odd choice. The two composers offer few points of overlap, whether one chooses to observe them from a historical biographical perspective or in a more direct comparison of their musical styles and characters. Yet this choice is anything but random. All too often, recordings of music by secondary composers" are preserved in a somewhat academic/systematic manner: for example, as complete recordings of one's oeuvre or in conjunction with compositions of that composer's countrymen. The established masterworks on the other hand are presented in highly diverse arrangements and combinations, thus underlying the inherent interest of a particular interpretation of that work. As the title of this album suggests, our intention is to position Bridge's second piano trio among the established masterpieces of the genre and to propel the composition unto the consciousness of music Lovers and performers alike. For that reason, we chose to link the Bridge trio with Brahms' op. 8-one of the most beloved and cherished compositions in the piano trio genre and one which we hold very dear to our hearts." (Namirovsky-Lark-Pae Trio)