Fire Pink Trio - Poetry in Motion: Music for Flute, Viola, and Harp (2015)

Claude Debussy said: Music is Woman. I love it too much to speak of it otherwise than with passion. His words could serve as a credo for the three women whose artistry you hear on this recording, who all speak of and more importantly, play the music they love with passion, precision, and breathtaking virtuosity. Together they are the Fire Pink Trio, named for the North American wildflower that covers the mountains in the spring; suggesting the fire they all felt in the near spontaneous musical combustion the first time flutist Debra Reuter-Pivetta, violist Sheila Browne, and harpist Jacquelyn Bartlett played together, not to mention the pink of their feminine compatibility. And indeed it was the stunning and original idea by Claude Debussy to combine the distinct timbres of the flute, viola, and harp that gave rise not only to the formation of Fire Pink Trio, but also led directly to the creation of all the music on this CD. Bartlett tells us that Debussy put together the three sexiest instruments. First, the wonderful, string-plucking timbre of the harp, which offers so many different textures and sounds. Add to it the beautiful, brilliant, singing tone of the flute, and then the darker, plangent sound of the viola, which brings the other two instruments together as a bridge. Think of it as wine pairings: like a good red, the viola can pull out the earthier sounds of the ensemble; the flute can highlight the sparkle and breeze of a summer day like a good chardonnay. In between and ever present is the harp, whose thin, tall strings, weave wonderful things.
The FIRE PINK TRIO is a dynamic chamber ensemble featuring flute, viola, and harp. Just as each instrument has a uniquely beautiful voice, each member of the Trio brings to the group their own unique mix of accolades and experience, including top prizes in international competitions, such as the Concert Artist Guild Competition, Louise D. McMahon Competition, and the Pro Musicis Award; and concerto performances across the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South Africa. Active as recording artists, they can be heard on critically acclaimed releases on the Albany, Naxos, Sony, Nonesuch, Centaur, and ERM labels. They have commissioned and performed works from such leading contemporary composers as Adrienne Albert, Jan Bach, Sofia Gubaidulina, Adolphus Hailstork, Dan Locklair, Manuel Moreno-Buendia, and Lyle Mays. Performing a wide range of music, including Romantic, contemporary, Latin, and jazz, the Fire Pink Trio brings elegance, style, and virtuosity to the stage. Named after the vibrant wildflower that covers the mountains of eastern North America in late spring, the ensemble derives inspiration from their natural beauty, resembling the strokes of a painter's brush, itself a symbol of creativity and fresh, new ideas. Formed in 2008 by flutist Debra Reuter-Pivetta, violist Sheila Browne, and harpist Jacquelyn Bartlett, the Trio has received high acclaim from critics, composers, and audience members alike.