Nikolai Roslavets was one of the great musical innovators of the 1920s, described by Stravinsky as ‘the most interesting Russian composer of the 20th century,’ but vilified by the Soviet regime on account of his constant experimentation. His Piano Trio no.4 is notable for its romantic and passionate spirit, and complex polyphony. Shostakovich’s Piano Trio no.2 is one of the most harrowing and revered of all his chamber works. The Piano Trio no.1, a remarkable composition for a 16-year-old student, is a work of romantic intensity cast in a musical language recognisably that of Shostakovich.

Vol.5 in this series is on 8574116: ‘The three composers on this disc could hardly find better advocates than The Brahms Trio. On a dull day, you might pass these scores by, but this top-class ensemble restore their magic. Together with the excellent fourth volume and the preceding three, this “History of the Russian Piano Trio” is a set to treasure’, wrote Gramophone.

These releases have subsequently been nominated for an International Classical Music Award (ICMA) and were named as the best albums of 2021 by Gramophone and American Record Guide. In 2022, The Brahms Trio was nominated for Opus Klassik Awards in the categories of Best Chamber Music Recording, Ensemble of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to the Expansion of the Repertoire.

The Brahms Trio is one of the leading Russian chamber ensembles. Since its foundation in 1990, the trio has regularly appeared at prestigious international concert venues, such as the Large Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Elbphilharmonie Laeiszhalle Grand Hall, Brucknerhaus Linz and Seoul Arts Centre, as well as at festivals in Melbourne, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Copenhagen, Paris and London. Legendary musicians such as Tatiana Gaidamovich, Rudolf Barshai, Alexander Bonduriansky (Moscow Trio) and Valentin Berlinsky (Borodin Quartet) have had a significant influence on the formation of the performing style and career of the trio. The musicians of The Brahms Trio are professors at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory.