Hermitage Piano Trio

The Hermitage Piano Trio brings a “star studded” program to Worcester, featuring the works of three stylistically independent composers. The piano trio – made up of piano, violin, and cello – brings together the dramaticism of piano with the natural songlike nature of the violin and cello. This program is full of life and easily pulls at the heartstrings of every listener. 

Starting with Josef Suk’s opus 2, a very Romantic and violin-heavy work written while a student at the Prague Conservatory under Antonín Dvořák. (Suk would go on to become a close friend of Dvořák and marry his daughter later on!) The program concludes with Dvořák’s F minor piano trio, written while teaching at the Conservatory. This work is expressive with heavy influence of the folk styles the composer is known for. The composition allows for each player to be slightly flashy in their playing, with exuberant moments fit tightly next to Dvořák’s melancholy moments. 

Situated between these two semi-related works that demonstrate Dvořák’s influence on his young protegee is Ravel’s ambitious and mature A minor Piano Trio. Dvořák composed this work soon after his Daphnis and Chloe, and displays classic juxtaposition of piano and strings, while painting absolutely gorgeous and brilliant color throughout the four movements. 

Josef Suk – Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 2
Maurice Ravel – Piano Trio in A minor
Antonín Dvořák – Trio No. 3 in F minor, Op. 65

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, 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 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 is scheduled for release in Spring 2025 and is titled “Dvorak’s Circle.”

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).