Trio Hochelaga - Fauré & Pierné: Piano Trios (2004)

Although he was a student at the Paris Conservatoire at the same time as Debussy, studied with Massenet and Franck, won the Prix de Rome, and even succeeded Franck at the venerable post of organist at Sainte-Clotilde, the name of Gabriel Pierné is little remembered today, to say nothing of his compositions. Fortunately for listeners, the Canadian ensemble Trio Hochelaga has among its missions the revitalization of forgotten and underappreciated French compositions. Pierné's C minor trio certainly falls into their purview. The brilliantly structured three-movement trio is filled with memorable melodies, interesting though not risqué harmonies, broad range between the instruments, and independent part-writing. Upon hearing Trio Hochelaga's committed, convincing performance, listeners will leave wondering why more ensembles have not taken up this worthy composition. Hochelaga's members each possess strong technical skills and keen musical insights that they combine to form a unified, singular vision. Balance within the trio is well-planned, allowing the three to blend together into a single instrument, or for individual players to rise above the rest when necessary. Hochelaga's program continues with Fauré's Op. 120 Piano Trio. Although Fauré's is certainly not an unknown composer, the piano trio -- his penultimate work -- is not played with the same frequency as his other chamber works. Hochelaga plays with the same level of finesse, elegance, and warmth of tone here as in the Pierné.