The Z.E.N. Trio - Brahms & Dvořák Piano Trios (2017) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

The Z.E.N. Trio – pianist Zhang Zuo, violinist Esther Yoo and cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan – met on the BBC New Generation Artists’ scheme in 2015 and have since performed concerts together for BBC radio as well as across the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

While the trio’s name, “Z.E.N.” is an acronym for the three artists’ initials, it also represents the philosophy with which they approach chamber music making - the forgoing of the self for total togetherness.

An imaginative and electrifying performer, Zhang Zuo (“Zee Zee”) began her musical training in Germany at the age of five.

Upon returning to her native China, she became one of the most sought after young artists in the nation, collaborating with leading Chinese orchestras with whom she retains a close link.

Esther Yoo first came to international attention in 2010 when, aged 16, she became the youngest prize winner of the 10th International Sibelius Violin Competition.

From 2014 to 2016 she was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist, culminating in her BBC Proms debut.

Esther plays regular return engagements with Philharmonia Orchestra at London’s Royal Festival Hall as well as with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed in tours across Asia and South America.

Since winning the Cello First Prize and Gold Medal at the XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2011 at the age of 22, Narek Hakhnazaryan has performed with most major orchestras across the globe and has established himself internationally as one of the finest cellists of his generation.

„Innocence, beauty, pain and effortlessness melded in a way that will lodge for years in the memory, and the audience roared its approval.“ (Bachtrack, on Esther Yoo)

TRACKLIST

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Piano Trio No.1 In B, Op.8
1 1. Allegro con brio 14:30
2 2. Scherzo (Allegro molto) 06:05
3 3. Adagio 08:16
4 4. Allegro 06:23

Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904)

Piano Trio in E minor, Op.90 - "Dumky"
5 1. Lento maestoso - Allegro vivace, quasi doppio movimento - Tempo I - Allegro molto 04:08
6 2. Poco adagio - Vivace non troppo 07:07
7 3. Andante - Vivace non troppo - Andante - Allegretto 06:40
8 4. Andante moderato (Quasi tempo di marcia) - Allegretto scherzando - Meno mosso - Allegro - Moderato 05:33
9 5. Allegro 04:08

10 6. Lento maestoso - Vivace, quasi movimento - Lento - Vivace 04:57

Johannes Brahms

11 Hungarian Dance No.6 In D (arr. For Piano Trio by Louis Ries) 02:54