Morgenstern Trio - Morgenstern Trio: Tailleferre, Fontyn & Ravel (2015) [Official Digital Download]

Named after the German poet Christian Morgenstern, the Franco-German “Morgenstern Trio” has selected a “triad” of Franco-Belgian composers for their new CD, centered around Ravel’s Piano Trio in A Minor (1914). Violinist, pianist and teacher Kolja Lessing, a friend of the trio, drew their attention to the two relatively unknown works by Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983) and Jacqueline Fontyn (born in 1930). For the three trio members, the main point of interest lay not so much in certain traits of style or character these three Franco-Belgian works might eventually share, nor in the fact that two of the composers are women. Instead, their goal was to explore aspects of historical context and mutual influence among composers. “Ravel wrote his trio in 1914, and Tailleferre the first version of her trio two years later. We thought it would be particularly worthwhile to find out how two French-speaking composers, both known to be admirers of Ravel, wrote in this genre. Did they willingly succumb to his musical influence, or did they distance themselves from their model? We were especially thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Madame Fontyn in her home in Brussels, and to talk with her about her trio.” ….. (please continue in the booklet)

Tracklist:
01. Piano Trio: I. Allegro animato
02. Piano Trio: II. Allegro vivace
03. Piano Trio: III. Moderato
04. Piano Trio: IV.Très animé
05. Piano Trio: I. Allegro
06. Piano Trio: II. Adagio assai
07. Piano Trio: III. Fuga
08. Piano Trio: IV. Allegro risoluto
09. Piano Trio in A Minor, M. 67: I. Modéré
10. Piano Trio in A Minor, M. 67: II. Pantoum-Assez vif
11. Piano Trio in A Minor, M. 67: III. Passacaille-Très large
12. Piano Trio in A Minor, M. 67: IV. Final-Animé

Composers:
Fontyn, Jacqueline (b.1930)
Ravel, Maurice (1875-1937)
Tailleferre, Germaine (1892-1983)

Personnel:
Morgenstern Trio:
Catherine Klipfel, piano
Stephan Hempel, violin
Emanuel Wehse, cello