Neave Trio: Her Voice

Neave Trio performs works by four distinguished female composers spanning the Romantic era through the modern day.

Farrenc: Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 33 (1843)
Amy Beach: Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 150 (1938)
Rebecca Clarke: Piano Trio (1921)
Jennifer Higdon: Piano Trio (2003)

One of her most prominent pieces, Rebecca Clarke’s Piano Trio showcases her unique harmonic language, influenced by both the French and British styles of the early 20th century, as well as by folk music. Amy Beach’s trio was composed late in her career, and incorporates lush romantic melodies over impressionistic tones and colors. A prominent concert pianist and teacher, Louise Farrenc also achieved success as a composer. Her trio conveys inspiration from both the Classical and Romantic eras, but is widely regarded as a notable representation of early Romantic chamber music. Jennifer Higdon’s Piano Trio is comprised of two movements: “Pale Yellow” and “Fiery Red.” Of the work, Higdon writes, “The colors that I have chosen in both of the movement titles and in the music itself, reflect very different moods and energy levels, which I find fascinating, as it begs the question, can colors actually convey a mood?”

This program corresponds with Neave Trio's new album, Her Voice, coming out this fall on the UK label Chandos Records. Her Voice features the Beach, Clarke, and Farrenc piano trios, and was recorded this past spring at Potton Hall in Westleton, England.

Rebecca Clarke: Trio (1921)
Music video for Neave Trio's album Her Voice (Chandos Records). Directed by Alessa Maiuri.