Neave Trio - Her Voice (2019) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

For this their third album for Chandos, the Neave Trio chose to celebrate the work of three outstanding female musical pioneers.

Louise Farrenc studied piano with Clementi and Hummel, and composition with Reicha. She was the first female Professor at the Paris Conservatoire, teaching piano there from 1842 until 1872, although it took her a decade to achieve equal pay with her male colleagues.

Rebecca Clarke was a composer and viola player, and became the first female player in Henry Wood’s Queen’s Hall Orchestra, in 1912.

Amy Beach was an American pianist and composer, and her Gaelic Symphony, premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1896, was the first symphony composed and published by an American woman.

These piano trios, so vividly contrasting in style, provide an excellent gateway into the sound-worlds of three diverse, pioneering composers.

A virtuoso pianist and French composer from the Romantic era, Louise Farrenc’s Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 33 unifies the strings with the piano in a supportive, balanced setting of exuberant French elegance. Amy Beach’s Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 150 was composed late in her career, and incorporates lush, romantic melodies over a variety of textures, tones, and impressionistic colors. One of her most prominent pieces, Rebecca Clarke’s Piano Trio showcases her unique harmonic language, influenced by both the French and British styles of the early 20th century, as well as by folk music.

Anna Williams, Neave Trio violinist, says of Her Voice, “There is so much great repertoire that is under-performed, especially from women composers, and we feel it is essential to program and record these masterworks alongside the more well-known catalogue of piano trio repertoire. These women really broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations and we are excited to honor their unique contributions and voices.”

Her Voice is the Neave Trio’s third album Chandos Records, following French Moments (2018), which includes the only known piano trios by Debussy, Fauré, and Roussel. According to BBC Music Magazine, “The performances balance passion with sensitivity and grace,” while The Strad praises the trio’s “eloquent phrasing and deft control of textures.” Neave’s Chandos debut, American Moments (2016), features works by Korngold, Foote, and Bernstein. BBC Music wrote, “The Trio offers a strong sense of partnership, with the Bernstein bounding along in fine spirit. The Foote shines wonderfully and is well worth discovering,” while American Record Guide expressed Neave’s playing as “idiomatic and attractive.”

Tracklist:
01. Piano Trio No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 33: I. Allegro
02. Piano Trio No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 33: II. Adagio sostenuto
03. Piano Trio No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 33: III. Minuetto. Allegro
04. Piano Trio No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 33: IV. Finale. Vivace
05. Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 150: I. Allegro
06. Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 150: II. Lento espressivo
07. Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 150: III. Allegro con brio
08. Piano Trio: I. Moderato ma appassionato
09. Piano Trio: II. Andante molto semplice
10. Piano Trio: III. Allegro vigoroso

Personnel:
The Neave Trio:
Anna Williams, violin
Mikhail Veselov, cello
Eri Nakamura, piano