The Sitkovetsky Trio released a new recording of Beethoven Piano Trios on 6 March 2020 on BIS Records. The recording celebrates the Beethoven 250th anniversary year and includes the composer’s Beethoven’s Trios Op.1 and Op.70, and Allegretto in B-flat major for Piano Trio WoO 39.
Listen here on Spotify.
Listen here on Apple Music.
Violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky comments: “We are absolutely thrilled to be releasing our first Beethoven recording on the wonderful BIS Label. As we begin our Beethoven journey on disc, we are excited to start the cycle with one of Beethoven’s most radical early works, the Opus 1 No 3 trio in C minor, which shocked the public, including his mentor Joseph Haydn, at its premiere in 1795. This dark, tumultuous trio changed the possibilities of what piano trio writing could be and we think there is a no more apt way to celebrate the genius of Beethoven than to show him as the trailblazer that he is. The second trio is the lesser known, but no less brilliant Opus 70 No 2 in E flat Major. Written during the composer’s Middle period, immediately after the 6th Symphony, the trio is a warm and generous work and offers a wonderful contrast to the stormy Opus 1 No 3. The disc finishes with a beautifully short Allegretto, composed as a gift for the daughter of one of his close friends, Antonie Brentano.
"We are very humbled to record such incredible music and are grateful to everyone at BIS and our wonderful producer Marion Schwebel for taking this journey with us. We can’t wait to release this CD and to continue the cycle over the next few years.”
The Sitkovetsky Trio’s first recording for BIS Records was released in 2014 and featured works by Smetana, Suk and Dvořák. This led to further releases of works by Brahms and Schubert on the Wigmore Live Label and another recording for BIS of Mendelssohn Trios in 2015.
Recording Information
Release date: 6 March 2020
Record label: BIS Records
Catalogue number: BIS-2239
Repertoire: Beethoven Piano Trio in C minor, Op.1 No.3, Beethoven Allegretto for Piano Trio in B-flat major, WoO. 39 Beethoven Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op.70 No.2
Artists: Alexander Sitkovetsky, violin Wu Qian, piano, Isang Enders, cello
About The Sitkovetsky Trio
The Sitkovetsky Trio has established itself as an exceptional piano trio of today, with sensational performances in the foremost concert halls around the world. Alexander Sitkovetsky (violin) and Wu Qian (piano) were joined last season by German-Korean cellist Isang Enders to continue their journey of successful appearances. Their thoughtful and committed approach have brought the ensemble critical acclaim and invitations to renowned concert halls around the world, such as the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Frankfurt Alte Oper, Palais des Beaux Arts, Musée du Louvre, l’Auditori Barcelona, Wigmore Hall and Lincoln Center New York to name but a few.
The 2019/20 season has seen the trio return to America, with concerts in upstate New York, Bogota and Santiago de Chile. Further highlights have been performances of Beethoven’s triple concerto with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, with Prague Philharmonia in Reggio Emilia as well as recitals at de Singel Antwerp and at Gower Festival.
The previous season saw the trio tour Asia, performing six concerts throughout South Korea, Singapore and Japan. Another highlight was the world premiere of a new triple concerto by Charlotte Bray with the Philharmonia Orchestra in May 2019, with further performances planned. Other appearances included the Bath Mozartfest, St. George’s Bristol, Beethovenhaus Bonn, Frederiksvaerk and Hindsgavl Festival in Denmark as well as re-invitations to the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Rheingau Musik Festival and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Comments