Rachmaninoff: Trio élégiaques & Vocalise (Arr. J. Conus for Piano Trio) Hermitage Piano Trio

• Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873 - 1943):
• 1 Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G Minor, TN ii/34 14:34
• Trio élégiaque No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 9:
• 2 Trio élégiaque No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 9: I. Moderato - Allegro vivace 19:36
• 3 Trio élégiaque No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 9: II. Quasi variazione. Andante 22:00
• 4 Trio élégiaque No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 9: III. Allegro risoluto - Moderato 08:33
• Sergei Rachmaninoff:
• 5 Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14 (Arr. J. Conus for Piano Trio) 07:00
• Total Runtime 01:11:43

Info for Rachmaninoff: Trio élégiaques & Vocalise (Arr. J. Conus for Piano Trio)

Electrifying Piano Trio Performances in the great Russian musical tradition!

The Hermitage Piano Trio is distinguished by its exuberant musicality, interpretative range, and sumptuous sound—attributes that Reference Recordings expects to be highly appealing to music lovers and audiophiles worldwide. Following a recent performance, The Washington Post raved that “more striking even than the individual virtuosity was the profound level of integration among the players, who showed a rare degree of ensemble from beginning to end.” Based in the United States, the Trio excels at performing an enormous variety of music and has a wide repertoire ranging from Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, Arensky, Glinka, and Tchaikovsky to Schubert, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Dvořák, and Brahms.

This is their debut album as a trio. More albums with Reference Recordings are planned. Sessions were held at famed Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA, and were recorded by RR’s engineering team, comprised of GRAMMY®-­winning engineer and Technical Director Keith O. Johnson, and multi­-GRAMMY® nominated engineer Sean Royce Martin. The album was produced by the multi­-GRAMMY® nominated team, Marina and Victor Ledin.

A rarity in the chamber music world, this elite trio is comprised of three musicians who are noted soloists in their own right. In a career already spanning fifty countries on five continents, violinist Misha Keylin is attracting particular attention with his world­ premiere CD series of the seven Henri Vieuxtemps violin concertos. These best­selling recordings have garnered numerous press accolades and awards, including “Critic’s Choice” by The New York Times, Gramophone, and The Strad. Hailed as “a brilliant cellist” by the legendary Mstislav Rostropovich, Sergey Antonov went on to prove his mentor’s proclamation when he became one of the youngest cellists ever awarded the gold medal at the world’s premier musical contest, the quadrennial International Tchaikovsky Competition. Antonov’s entry into this elite stratum of sought­after classical artists has already placed him on stages at world­renowned venues from Russia’s Great Hall at the Moscow Conservatory to Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Pianist Ilya Kazantsev, a fresh and exciting presence on the international music scene and a passionate interpreter of his native Russian repertoire – hailed by The Washington Post as “virtually flawless”–has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras in Russia, Canada, Europe, and the United States. Among his many awards and honors, Mr. Kazantsev received first prize at the Nikolai Rubinstein International Competition (Paris) and a won the International Chopin Competition (Moscow) and the 2007 & 2008 World Piano Competitions (Cincinnati).

Hermitage Piano Trio

Hermitage Piano Trio
Now entering their second decade, the United States-based Hermitage Piano Trio has solidified its place as one of the world’s leading piano trios, garnering multiple GRAMMY® Award nominations and receiving both audience and press accolades for their performances that The Washington Post singled out for “such power and sweeping passion that it left you nearly out of breath.”

The Trio, founded in 2011, is a champion of immense repertoire ranging from the works of the great European tradition to more contemporary American pieces. Hallmarks of the Hermitage Piano Trio are their impeccable musicianship, sumptuous sound and interpretative range, which have led to demand for many repeat performances. They have appeared on major chamber music series and festivals in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Miami, Washington, D.C., Tucson, Portland (OR), Tulsa, San Diego, Anchorage, Corpus Christi, Newport (RI), Winnipeg, Montréal, San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), Seoul (Korea), St. Thomas (Virgin Islands) and many others. Expanding their musical horizons, the Trio has recently started performing Piano Quartet repertoire with the award-winning violist Jordan Bak. In addition to their extensive touring engagements, the Trio is involved in educational and outreach projects.

Recent and upcoming performances include Friends of Chamber Music Portland (OR), Buffalo Chamber Music Society, Newport Classical, VCU Arts, Chicago Chamber Music Society, ArtPower at UC San Diego, Concord Chamber Music Society, Friends of Chamber Music Miami, Harvard Musical Association, Ladies’ Morning Musical Club (Montréal), Corpus Christi Chamber Music Society, Music Worcester, Strathmore, and other notable series.

Hermitage Piano Trio began its multiple-album recording deal with Reference Recordings, debuting its CD titled “Rachmaninoff,” which featured Sergei Rachmaninoff’s two trios and his unforgettable Vocalise. Echoing many enthusiastic reviews of the “Rachmaninoff” recording, The Strad lauded the Trio’s “outstanding playing in intense, heartfelt performances,” and American Record Guide praised that “the Hermitage wants to burst forth with passion, to let the whole world know! I am really glad that someone can still play that way in our utterly unromantic age.” Their second album, “Spanish Impressions,” has the Trio exploring the rich and diverse musical heritage of early 20th century Spanish composers, including works by Arbós, Turina, Cassadó and Perelló. The album received broad critical acclaim, with Gramophone praising the Trio’s “impeccably dovetailed phrasing and hair-trigger rhythmic unanimity,” and Stereophile noting “the Hermitage Piano Trio sounds right at home with the color and verve of this music.” The Trio’s third album, titled “Dvorak's Circle," is scheduled for release in early 2026.

A rarity in the chamber music world, this elite Trio brings together three accomplished soloists in their own right. An established soloist, violinist Misha Keylin has performed in forty-five countries spanning five continents. He has captured special attention with his world-premiere CD series, released by Naxos, of Henri Vieuxtemps seven violin concertos and showpieces. These recordings have already sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide and have garnered numerous press accolades and awards, including “Critic’s Choice” by The New York Times, Gramophone, and The Strad.

Hailed as “a brilliant cellist” by the legendary Mstislav Rostropovich, Sergey Antonov went on to prove his mentor’s proclamation when he became one of the youngest cellists ever awarded the gold medal at the world’s premier musical contest, the quadrennial International Tchaikovsky Competition. Antonov’s entry into this elite stratum of sought-after classical artists has already placed him on stages at world-renowned venues from Russia’s Great Hall at the Moscow Conservatory to Suntory Hall in Tokyo.

And pianist Ilya Kazantsev, praised by The Washington Post as “virtually flawless,” has performed as a recitalist and a soloist with orchestras in Russia, Canada, Europe, and the United States. Mr. Kazantsev’s many awards and honors include first prize at the Nikolai Rubinstein International Competition (France) as well as top prizes at the International Chopin Competition (Russia) and the World Piano Competition (USA).

Booklet for Rachmaninoff: Trio élégiaques & Vocalise (Arr. J. Conus for Piano Trio)