classical / contemporary
The group craftsmanship is always excellent - Stephen Osborne, BBC Radio 3 (UK)
Trio Brax is a chamber music ensemble based in Tromsø, Northern Norway. With the unusual combination of viola, tenor saxophone and piano, Trio Brax is an odd flower in the world of classical chamber music. The highlighting of two instrument that are not commonly identified as solistic is intriguing and offers a different palette to the listener. While other conventional piano trios can pick and choose from a wide range of well known classical works, there used to be just one famous work written for the ensemble type of Trio Brax Trio Op. 47 by Paul Hindemith from 1928. Well until now! Challenging three of Norway's leading contemporary composers to plunge into this universe initially discovered by Hindemith, a new and exciting repertory has emerged. As the combination of the three instruments opens for brand new timbres, musical landscapes and dynamic voyages, the three new works display a wide range of musical colours. We are presented with music that is playful without being experimental, expressive as well as virtuosic on multiple levels.
Julia Neher is principal violist of Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards and grants, and has also appeared as soloist with numerous orchestras.
Ola Asdahl Rokkones is one of few saxophonists working within the fields of both classical music and jazz. He has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras, and has commissioned and premiered music by numerous composers.
Sergej Osadchuk has had an extensive career as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist. He combines his concert career with teaching, and is currently Professor of Piano at The Arctic University of Norway.
A wonderfully vivid and characterful performance
- Robert Hugill, planethugill.com (UK)
These new compositions open new timbres, new combinations of colors, new dynamic explorations. Ranging from whimsical to expressive and virtuosic, these new works are each a delight of discovery. All are eminently accessible. [...] Performances by Trio Brax are engagingly filled with a lively energy, excellent ensemble, and great technical skill.
- Rushton Paul, Positive Feedback (US)
Soundwise the instruments point in different directions. This gives exciting sound possibilities, where each voice clearly stands out. [...] Trio Brax responds with tight interaction, plenty of dynamical nuances, and a lovely musicality.
- Ola Nordal, ballade.no (NO)
These newly composed works fit in beautifully with the work of Hindemith. [...] An exquisite line up, which occurs sporadically, but comes across very organically, performed by three excellent musicians.
- Mattie Poels, Music Frames (NL)
A rare commodity! [...] And we're not talking about inaccessible contemporary music here. No, the result is a recording with works that are particularly kind to the ear, as well as amusing where the composers show their ability to challenge not only the collective sound of the trio, but also the three brilliant musicians as individuals. [...] Again I’m struck by the extraordinary conveyance, both together and in the solistic parts. This is both playful and intriguing, with an instrumentario that goes very well together.
- Trond Erikson, klassiskcd.blogspot.com (NO)
About Hindemith: [...]Trio Brax performs it on this new album with real atmosphere, and masters beautifully the transitions from Solo (the opening piano prelude) via Duett (piano and saxophone) to full trio, and the recording is fantastic. [...]
About Habbestad: [...] The result is a beautiful, warm and lyrical trio full of melodies, and it sounds rewarding to play. [...]
About Lund: [...] a tale for fear and warning illustrated episodically in this entertaining work. [...]
- Guy Richards, KlassiskMusikk.com (NO/UK)
Hindemith's Trio for Heckelphone (alternatively: tenor saxophone), viola and piano op. 47 was composed within a few days in 1928. Not only the instrumentation of this work is unusual, but also its formal layout. The piece is divided into two parts. The piano opens the first part with a stormy "overture", which leads into an arioso characterised by the solo instruments. The second part, dubbed Potpourri, comprises four sections whose constant shifts of accent reveal jazz influences and understand the 1920s frenzy as the elixir of life. It is precisely this jazz drive that the Trio Brax conveys in an impressive manner. It is precisely the indi vidual treatment of the three instruments that also seems to have stimulated the compositions commissioned by Trio Brax. The result are compositions that are characterised by the sound of this unusual combination of instruments and have their own physiognomy.
- Dr.Heinz Jürgen Winkler- Hindemith Institut Frankfurt (DE)