| Label: Zig Zag Catalog: ZZT120101 Format: CD Trio George Sand: Virginie Buscail, violin; Nadine Pierre, cello; Anne-Lise Gastaldi, pianoMaurice Ravel (1875-1937): Trio for piano, violin and cello (1914) Mel Bonis (1858-1937): Soir op.76 / Matin op.76 (1907) Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924): Trio for piano, violin and cello op. 120 (1923) For its first recording on Zig-Zag Territories, the George Sand Trio, composed of Virginie Buscail, Nadine Pierre and Anne-Lise Gastaldi, offers a refined interpretation of trios by Ravel, Mel Bonis, and Fauré. It is astonishing to realize the gulf that divides the two greatest trios in French music: while Ravel's sparkles with a quasi-orchestral profusion and presents unexpected formal devices, that of his master Fauré (composed later) unassertively imposes a timeless, poignant austerity. These masterpieces, which gain much from being placed side by side, are here complemented by a diptych for trio by their contemporary Mel Bonis, a woman composer whose output, despite its high quality, is still too seldom heard. Price: $27.98 |