The French Album ATOS Trio

• Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944): Trio Nr.2 in a-minor, Op.34
• 1 I. Allegro moderato 08:28
• 2 II. Lento 07:11
• 3 Allegro energico 05:58
• Jean Francaix (1912-1997): Trio pour violon, violoncelle et piano (1986)
• 4 I. 5-8=52 03:53
• 5 II. Scherzando 04:27
• 6 III. Andante 04:49
• 7 IV. Allegrissimo 04:49
• Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Premier Trio in G-Major (1880)
• 8 I. Andante con moto allegro 09:25
• 9 II. Scherzo - Intermezzo 03:37
• 10 III. Andante espressivo 04:51
• 11 IV. Finale - appasionato 05:35
• Lili Boulanger (1893-1918)
• 12 D'un matin de printemps - pieces en trio 04:58
• Total Runtime 01:08:01

Info for The French Album

Award winning German trio Atos Trio perform on this excellent Farao Classics release titled The French Album. Four works for piano trio make up the program, ranging from the seldom-heard Chaminade, Françaix and Boulanger pieces to one that lies at the core of the repertoire by Debussy. The music by the first three composers mentioned appear in only an alternate version or two while the Debussy is appropriately well represented with over a dozen alternatives in the catalog. However, there is nothing whatsoever lacking in Atos' performance of this piece, and it is nice to get these wonderful rarities alongside their superb performance of this masterpiece from Debussy's youth.

The album begins with Cécile Chaminade's Piano Trio No. 2 Op. 34, written in 1886. This is the least 'French' sounding music on the program. It opens impressively, big-boned and with a romantic spirit and texture we might more quickly associate with Brahms than with music coming from France at the time. The central Lento is especially lovely; from a recording made during a live performance, you can listen to it in the video below. The concluding Allegro energico, lively and dramatic is available as a sample from the album in the right sidebar.

In immediately apparent contrast to the Chaminade, next comes the 1986 Piano Trio by Jean Françaix, infused with the composer's typical satirical wit, playfulness, airy textures and tongue-in-cheek hoodwinks. Debussy's early Piano Trio in G major was written in 1880, when the composer was only 18 years of age. The piece is a charmer, and we can already hear the impressionistic tonal language that would forever enrich Western Music. The concluding D'un matin de printemps (On a spring morning) by Lili Boulanger, little sister of Nadia and the first woman to win the Prix de Rome in 1913, gives a taste of what might have come from her had she lived beyond the age of 24.

These four wonderful and contrasting works were written over a span of more than a hundred years. While each is clearly cut from its own cloth, from a tonal perspective, they will all lie with equal ease in the comfort zone of any listener. Both Atos Trio and Farao beautifully realize the project; this recording is not to be missed by anyone drawn to the genre. (Paul Ballyk, www.expeditionaudio.com)

Annette von Hehn, violin
Stefan Heinemeyer, cello
Thomas Hoppe, piano

The ATOS Trio (Anette - T(h)omas - Stefan)
was founded in 2003. It has now become one of the very few German chamber-music ensembles to have made its way into major concert series worldwide. Its aim is to go to the very limits of expression and dynamics, without shying from extremes. Outstanding characteristics of the ensemble are its warm, homogeneous trio sound, its variety of approaches depending on the style and epoch of the music being played, and above all the artistic communication between the players and their complete dedication to the music. For the musicians in the trio, playing in the ensemble has complete priority over any other musical activities.

Booklet for The French Album