Bright Sheng (China/USA): Four Movements for Piano Trio

I (exc.)

II (exc.)

II (exc.)

IV (exc.)

 

Ross Edwards (Australia): Piano Trio

Allegretto (exc.)

Poco adagio e mesto, quasi recitativo (exc.)

Allegro assai (exc.)

 

Toru Takemitsu (Japan): Between Tides (exc.)

 

Gillian Whitehead (NZ): Piano Trio

1st movement (exc.)

2nd movement (exc.)

 
 

BRIGHTTIDEMOVINGBETWEEN, NZTrio

 
Rattle’s modern titling format – with a lower-case elided brighttidemovingbetween – matches NZTrio’s new perspective, indicating we belong to the nascent Asia-Pacific Rim rather than effete Europe weighed down by its illustrious past. Their selection underlines this with Australian Ross Edward’s rhythmically ebullient Piano Trio, the sensitive depiction of water in our own Gillian Whitehead’s substantial Piano Trio 2005, the Messiaenic harmonies of Between Tides by Japan’s Toru Takemitsu and Four Movements for Piano Trio by China’s Bright Sheng. Sheng’s slowly sliding microtones, melodies with oriental decoration and heterophonic sonority have an invigorating Chinese freshness a world apart from Europe.
 
NZTrio’s innovative programme is as addictive as the youthful energy of its playing from violinist Justine Cormack, cellist Ashley Brown and pianist Sarah Watkins.
 
Ian Dando – New Zealand Listener
  

A GEM

 
NZTrio’s latest recording is a gem. It included works by four international composers of note – Bright Sheng, Ross Edwards, Toru Takemitsu and Gillian Whitehead (Rattle CD RAT-D017). Beautifully recorded and well presented, despite a fidgety set of cover notes, the CD is evidence, if any is required, of the maturity and assurance of classical music in New Zealand. The music is accessible and absorbing and the NZTrio has never sounded better, playing with panache and sensitivity.
 
Chris Moore – Christchurch Press