More Than Just Britten's Teacher

The Piano Trio No 2 by Frank Bridge is one of those works which did not receive a favourable critical reception when premiered but which with the passage of time has been shown to be a masterful work of great merit. It was written in 1928 and the criticism directed against it was for leaning too far in the direction of modernism. It is certainly a work that is aware of the developments in Paris and Vienna post WW1and is also a reflection of the extreme upheaval of that period when compared to the earlier Bridge chamber works included on this disk from more innocent times circa 1907 / 08. The trio on this recording, Jack Liebeck violin, Alexander Chaushian cello and pianist Ashley Wass, play superbly and give the piece the status and respect that it deserves. There seems a growing respect for Bridge's chamber music among a younger generation of British players. Of the early works, the Phantasie Trio in C Minor is impeccably crafted in a single span and is well worth hearing in its' own right. Not so profound but joyful and exuberant music that certainly has a place. The contemporaneous Nine Miniatures for Piano Trio can be described as charming and if that seems close to damning with faint praise, then I would admit that they grabbed me less than the other two works on the disk. Well worth exploring though, especially at super budget price.