Trio Zadig

It’s surprising how well the “Candid Overture” and the “West Side Story Fantasied” works in the piano trio arrangement we have here. First, there’s the performance, which is full of cheerful energy and rhythmic vitality, but there’s also the high quality of the actual arrangement, made by Bruno Fontaine. Rather than making the listener feel deprived of the full orchestral score, this arrangement actually enhances the music, making it more transparent (…)
The trio’s members are clearly attached to the Ravel Piano Trio, as this chamber masterpiece receives a touching, deeply felt and memorable performance. Pianist Ian Barber shows some impressive pianistic qualities, highly diverse sound world and pedal control, as well as superb technical command. Violinist Boris Borgolotto and cellist Marc Girard Garcia synchronize nicely in the first movement, where Ravel brilliantly separates the two by few octaves, making for an idiosyncratic tonal shading, which the pair embraces (…)
With a broad, stilled beauty in the second movement and convincing performance of the finale (listen to the wonderful opening bars’ masterful blend of instruments) – this makes for a memorable version of the Ravel Trio (…)
All in all, a highly enjoyable album. Read more