"The debut on CD of the Leipzig String Trio, founded in 2019, offers two well-known string trios, Ernö Dohnanyi’s Serenade and Jean Francaix’s Trio, though they may not be among the most centrally valued genre contributions. In addition, the three musicians have a wide range of styles with Enescu’s short Aubade, Sibelius Trio and an arrangement of Bach’s Chaconne for solo violin.
The arrangement of the Chaconne by András von Tòszeghi is performed by the Leipzig String Trio in an interpretation that takes away some of the solemnity of this movement, which can also be heard. The division of the voice-leading among three instruments gives it a changeable and thus almost dance-like character. This is supported by a slight brittleness and the powerfully pulsating playing gesture. One must first get used to this when listening, but then this version also unfolds its charm to be enjoyed.
Dohnanyi’s Serenade is taken as a work of this genre should sound. So, for all the maturity of the technical execution, the musicians preserve the light approach of such evening music. Françaix’s Trio requires a different approach, but it can also be read with a mischievousness. And the Leipzig String Trio competently offers this mixture of compositional ambition and tongue-in-cheek influence. They don’t quite settle into the more virtuosic tempos of the historic recording with Heifetz, de Pasquale and Piatigorsky. But this offers the opportunity to fully savor the music.
Two other works round out this recording. With the trio of the almost 30 year old Sibelius they show an unknown side of the Finn, which they have captured with a sure feeling for this voice from the north. With the equally concise and charming Aubade by Enescu, they bring the CD to a clever and lively close with a farewell kiss to the listener, so to speak. This is how one likes to be spoiled acoustically.
In all the pieces performed, the three musicians, so different from each other, show that they are treading a stringent common path here. With intense and at the same time well-balanced commitment they give their interpretations formative characters."
