January / February 2024
SPANISH IMPRESSIONS • Hermitage Pn Tr • REFERENCE 151 (68:44)
ARBÓS Trois Pièces originales dans le genre espagnol, op. 1.
TURINA Piano Trio No. 2 in b, op. 76. CASSADÓ Piano Trio in C.
PERELLÓ Tres Impresiones
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Brilliant, seductive performances of Spanish works by the Hermitage Piano Trio
Spanish Impressions gathers a quartet of 19th- and early 20th-century works for piano trio by Spanish composers/instrumentalists Enrique Arbós, Joaquín Turina, Gaspar Cassadó, and Mariano Perelló. All of the trios are in three movements, and all offer a fervent embrace of Spanish folk music, particularly dance, into the fabric of the classical piano trio genre. Such an approach is made obvious by the programmatic movement titles in the Arbós Three Spanish Dances (1886) and Perelló Three Impressions (1922). But Spanish melody and dance are equally present in the six movements of the Turina (1932– 33) and Cassadó (1926) piano trios, all designated by their tempo markings. And while each of the four piano trios has its own musical profile, the composers’ proud celebration of their Spanish heritage is a decidedly unifying quality. It would be difficult to imagine better performances of these works than those given by the Hermitage Piano Trio. The ensemble revels in the variety and richness of the works’ instrumental writing. The Trio’s fetching and immaculately executed gradations of tempo, dynamics, and colors are irresistibly seductive. And the intensity with which the artists approach this repertoire is breathtaking. Spanish Impressions offers that rare experience in which the artists convince you that their scintillating, immaculately executed renditions are improvised on the spot. The Hermitage Trio’s brilliant performances are captured in glorious, lifelike sound, a trademark of Reference Recordings’ admirable work. Victor and Marina A. Ledin are the authors of the extensive and informative liner notes. This is an early and strong candidate for my 2024 Want List. Recommended with the greatest enthusiasm. -Ken Meltzer