FOERSTER J.B. (1859-1951) COMPLETE PIANO TRIOS No.1-3 / Janáček Trio

Josef Bohuslav Foerster (1859 -1951) - Piano Trio No. 1 in F minor, Op. 8 (1883) 30:00

A Monsieur Edvard Grieg

1. I. Allegro 7:38

2. II. Allegro con brio 4:27

3. III. Adagio molto 5:39

4. IV. Allegro con brio 12:10

Josef Bohuslav Foerster - Piano Trio No. 2 in B fl at major, Op. 38 (1894) 20:47

5. I. Allegro energico 6:05

6. II. Allegro molto 7:50

7. III. Adagio 6:47

Josef Bohuslav Foerster - Piano Trio No. 3 in A minor, Op. 105 (1922) 24:18

To my dear friend Dr. František Volf

8. I. Assai moderato, ma con ardore interno 6:06

9. II. Andante sostenuto 11:16

10. III. Allegro risoluto 6:49

Janáček Trio

Jiří Pospíchal - violin, Marek Novák - cello, Markéta Janáčková - piano

Recorded for Czech Radio at the Martínek Studio, Prague, in October 2009, April and November 2010

The works of Josef Bohuslav Foerster (1859-1951) have deservedly experienced a renaissance in recent years. Following the acclaimed albums of his two violin concertos (SU39612031), cello concerto (SU39892031) and complete string quartets (SU40502132), Supraphon has now released the first-ever digital recording featuring the complete Foerster piano trios. And as in the case of the string quartets, the three piano trios too represent various creative phases, with the first and third being divided by almost four decades. Foerster dedicated his first trio to Edvard Grieg. The Norwegian composer lauded "the earnest, emotionally profound talent, tending towards high ideals". The final trio was written in Prague, where Foerster had returned after living and working in Hamburg and Vienna for twenty-five years. The piece reflects the tumultuous post-war musical development and can be designated as one of Foerster's most progressive compositions. The young and gifted Janáček Trio interprets Foerster's works with an understanding of the composer's inner world and complete engagement.

Foerster's piano trios in the first complete digital recording.

(Supraphon 2012)