Krzysztof Penderecki (b. 1933):
String Trio
1. I. Allegro molto
2. II. Vivace

György Kurtág (b. 1926):
signs, games, and messages
3. Virag az ember
4. Perpetuum mobile
5. Ligatura Y
6. Jelek VI
7. Virag - Zsigmondy Denesnek
8. Pizzicato-keringo?
9. Hommage a J.S.B.

Alfred Schnittke (1934 – 98):
String Trio
10. I. Moderato
11. II. Adagio

Mieczieslaw Weinberg (1991 – 96):
String Trio
12. I. Allegro con moto
13. II. Andante
14. III. Moderato assai

about the release

Following their critically acclaimed debut recording of the complete string trios of Hans Gál and Hans Krása, which garnered a Gramophone Editor’s Choice, Ensemble Epomeo turns to music by Eastern European and Russian composers written in the latter half of the 20th century. Each work bears a distinct personal compositional stamp, providing for captivating listening and enlightening contrasts: the Polish Penderecki's dramatic and lyrical String Trio of 1990 – 91, the Russian compositional giant Schnittke's String Trio of 1985, the haunting Trio of the increasingly recognized and respected Weinberg from 1950, and the ever-enigmatic Hungarian Kurtág, whose continuously evolving signs, games and messages represent a collection of highly individual miniatures.

critical acclaim for Ensemble Epomeo’s Gál and Krása

“A splendid disc I cannot get enough of.” – Gramophone, Editor’s Choice

“Ensemble Epomeo play all four compositions with huge commitment and brilliant flair revealing every nuance in four wonderful works for string trio. These can sit alongside anything written in this genre. In every way this is a fantastic disc that listeners will want to hear again and again.” – MusicWeb International

summary

Ensemble Epomeo follow their Gramophone Editor’s Choice recording of the string trios by Hans Gál and Hans Krása, with works by Eastern European and Russian composers written in the latter half of the 20th century: Penderecki, Schnittke, Kurtág and Weinberg.