Explore the enchanting world of French classical music with Trio Wanderer’s latest release. Renowned for their interpretations of Beethoven and Brahms, this celebrated French chamber ensemble shifts focus to their homeland’s rich musical heritage.
The album titled “Art Nouveau”, available via Harmonia Mundi, is a tribute to the early 20th-century French composers. Trio Wanderer, revered as the only chamber ensemble collectively knighted as Chevalier in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, has once again delivered a stunning collection.
This double album includes Maurice Ravel’s 1914 Piano Trio, a staple in Trio Wanderer’s performances, alongside Claude Debussy’s early trio and Édouard Lalo’s Piano Trio No. 3, celebrated for its energetic scherzo movement.
Adding depth to the collection are works by Mélanie Bonis, who composed under the pseudonym Mel Bonis. Her barcarolle for solo piano is performed by pianist Vincent Coq, with the trio also interpreting the diptych “Soir-Matin,” capturing the contrasting moods of evening and morning.
Beyond the trio compositions, the album features chamber pieces by Ravel and Debussy, notably Debussy’s late sonata for cello and piano, highlighting cellist Raphaël Pidoux in this innovative piece. Another standout is Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and Cello, with Pidoux and violinist Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian offering a poignant homage to Ravel’s friend, Debussy.
Trio Wanderer’s “Art Nouveau” offers a captivating journey through France’s musical landscape, showcasing the ensemble’s profound artistry and devotion to their cultural roots.
