Overview
The Phoenix Piano Trio is now established as one of the leading British chamber ensembles. Their highly successful début season in 2011 included over twenty concerts across the UK as part of their Beyond Beethoven project, for which they performed all of Beethoven’s works for piano trio. They have performed several times at Wigmore Hall. Other recent appearances include the Ryedale Festival, Leicester International Festival, and the London Chamber Music Society at King’s Place.
The programme is designed with John Ireland’s lyrically beautiful third Piano Trio – which we hear in the final concert – particularly in mind. We begin and end with the German greats, Beethoven and Brahms, who were such an influence on him. In between these, we explore works by Debussy and Ravel, who formed the other main influence on Ireland, who is often described as the ‘English Impressionist’. We also divert to Leipzig, where many English composers studied (including Ireland’s teacher, Stanford), with music by Clara and Robert Schumann, and Felix Mendelssohn. Throughout, music for piano trio is interspersed with works for solo instruments, and duos.
The Programme
Concert 1: Friday 4 May, 6.00pm
Pre-concert talk at 5.30pm
Beethoven, Piano Trio in G, Op.1 No.2
Beethoven, Variations on Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen (cello & piano), Op.66
Brahms, Piano Trio No.1 in B, Op.8
Concert 2: Saturday 5 May, 11.00am
Pre-concert talk at 10.30am
Debussy, Sonata for Violin and Piano
Ravel, Sonata for Violin and Cello
Schumann, Blumenstück (piano solo), Op.19
Schumann, Piano Trio No.2 in F, Op.80
Concert 3: Saturday 5 May, 6.00pm
Pre-concert talk at 5.30pm
Clara Schumann, Three Romances for Violin and Piano, Op.22
Clara Schumann, Piano Trio in G minor
Mendelssohn, Lied ohne Worte (cello and piano) Op.109
Mendelssohn, Piano Trio No.2 in C minor, Op.66
Concert 4: Sunday 6 May, 11.00am
Pre-concert talk at 10.30am
John Ireland, Piano Trio No.3 in E
Beethoven, Piano Trio in B flat, Op.97, Archduke
Prices, per person
£730 with one dinner or £770 with both dinners (there is no single supplement); garden room £870 with one dinner or £910 with both dinners.
Included: admission to all concerts and pre-concert talks; accommodation for two nights at The Castle Hotel; breakfasts; two afternoon teas; dinners (choose to attend one, or two dinners – see ‘Prices’); interval drinks; programme booklet; tips for hotel staff.
Accommodation
The Castle Hotel, Taunton: renowned for its excellent service, for comforts traditional and modern and for its superb catering. It has been owned and run by the Chapman family for over 60 years. There is a lift to all floors but please let us know if you require a bedroom without step access, or if you use a wheelchair.
Tickets to individual concerts
£20 evenings or £15 mornings. Each ticket includes admission to the concert and pre-concert talk, an interval drink and programme booklet.
