SMETANA B., SUK J., NOVÁK V. PIANO TRIOS/ Smetana Trio(J.Čechová, J.Nováková, J.Páleníček)

Bedřich Smetana - Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in G minor, Op. 15 (Piano trio) 26:38

1. Moderato assai 10:22

2. Allegro, ma non agitato. Alternativo I., II. 7:47

3. Finale. Presto 8:29

Josef Suk - Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in C minor, Op. 2 14:57

4. Allegro 5:55

5. Andante 4:07

6. Vivace 4:55

7. Josef Suk - Elegy for Violin, Cello and Piano, Op. 23 (Piano trio) 5:12

8. Vitězslav Novák - Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in D moll, Quasi una ballata, Op. 27 16:24

Andante tragico. Quasi Scherzo - Allegro burlesco. Piu tranquillo. Allegro. Andante 16:24

After the death of pianist and trio founder Josef Palenicek (1991), his son, cellist Jan Palenicek, took up leadership of the ensemble. Today, the members of the Smetana Trio follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, combining trio repertoire with solo numbers in the glorious tradition of this chamber group.

This recording of trios by Czech composers is an excellent showcase for the artistic qualities of the ensemble. The individual pieces are imbued with the full-blooded musicianship of top artists. The youngest member of the trio, Jana Novakova joined the ensemble in 2003, immediately becoming an equal partner to Jitka Cechova and Jan Palenicek. "The Smetana Trio's performance was marked by rare and outstanding ensemble playing. All the members of the trio have soloist abilities that lent a feeling of one great combined solo in the most extreme moments." Frankischer Tag - Bamberg

"Bedrich Smetana's G minor Piano Trio: Chills ran down our spines from the first phrase." Süddeutsche Zeitung

The Smetana Trio with a characteristic new recording of Czech trios.

(Supraphon 2005)