Kapustin, Farrenc, Piazzolla etc Champs Hill CHR CD 023 For sheer enjoyment this debut disc will take a lot to beat. The programme is cunningly created, with only the Schumann in "the repertoire" and several works that deserve to be there, notably Farrenc's splendid trio which should have a prominent place in any collection of trios for this attractive and versatile combination. They open with Kapustin's jazz-influenced trio and end with Piazzolla; composer of more than 1000 tango-related pieces, "to the tango what Johann Strauss II was to the waltz". Full sleeve notes including a copy of Malcolm MacDonald's excellent essay and the artwork can be read on line and downloaded as a .pdf. Perhaps the Emanuels should try to set up commissions for their trio to vie with the extraordinary achievement of the Verdehrs for theirs? A very high recommendation for these young musicians flair and zest, and for seeing through their concept meticulously, with winning performances captured in fine recording. Peter Grahame Woolf * Celllist Louisa Tuck's CV on this disc mentions her participation in a MasterClass (2005) with Bernard Greenhouse, founder cellist of the Beaux Arts Trio, who died this year at 95; see Obituary
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