Trio Barclay - Beyond The Pacific (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Seyfried Piano Trio No. 1 I. Moderato
02. Seyfried Piano Trio No. 1 II. Energico
03. Seyfried Piano Trio No. 1 III. Lento espressivo
04. Seyfried Piano Trio No. 1 IV. Vivace
05. Wineglass Piano Trio No. 2 Orcas Island I. Sea of Islands
06. Wineglass Piano Trio No. 2 Orcas Island II. Quiet Sunsets
07. Wineglass Piano Trio No. 2 Orcas Island III. Doe Bay's Cove
08. Fine Piano Trio No. 2 California I. Allegro ritmico
09. Fine Piano Trio No. 2 California II. Adagio
10. Fine Piano Trio No. 2 California III. Adagio sostenuto
11. Fine Piano Trio No. 2 California IV. Allegretto

Trio Barclay releases Beyond the Pacific: three never-before-recorded works by living composers - Sheridan Seyfried, John Wineglass and Michael Fine - on the Orchid Classics label, produced by the Grammy-winning Michael Fine.

Beyond the Pacific tells a musical tale of three artists who have a deep connection to the Pacific both culturally and geographically. Each of the pieces have an emotional connection to the Pacific, with two of the works titled after beautiful locations on the Pacific Coast. The water-like textures of the music and the contrapuntal interplay between the instruments suggest the power and subtleties of the world’s greatest ocean.

“Trio Barclay appears to have sprung to life fully formed… a group whose members interact with precision and ease, who feint and dodge as if of one mind.” - Voice of OC

Trio Barclay present “Beyond The Pacific”, an album of contemporary works for piano trio that sits at the intersection of chamber music excellence and a 21st-century American musical experience.

The album opens with a cathartic journey: the Piano Trio No. 1 of Sheridan Seyfried. Energetic and heartfelt in equal measure, the range of tones and colour on display throughout the album is immediately apparent. Elsewhere, “Orcas Island: The Rose of the San Juan Islands” by John Wineglass heightens the imagery, depicting a stunning portrait of the seascapes of the Pacific Northwest.

Further down the Western coastline, Michael Fine’s “California” delights in the fascinating multi-culturalism of the Golden State, the third of three works showcased fittingly by three of California’s foremost chamber musicians.

Trio Barclay present these thought-provoking works with their usual flair and vigour. Having fostered a reputation as an ensemble of big musical personalities who create dynamic and exciting musical experiences across North America and beyond, this album is a moving and nostalgic return home, underscored by three gems of contemporary classical music.

Established in 2021 as the resident ensemble of the Barclay Theatre in Irvine, California, Trio Barclay represents the culmination of decades of artistic collaboration between its members. Jonah and Dennis have frequently appeared together at the Interlochen Arts Academy and Festival Mozaic, while Jonah and Sean made their recital debut at the Kennedy Center and have performed as recital partners for years. Their recent recording of the Romantic Sonatas for Cello and Piano by Rachmaninoff and Barber, released on the Delos label, received wide critical acclaim.

Bound by deep friendship and mutual respect, Trio Barclay offers a dynamic and inspiring musical experience, dedicated to elevating the art of collaboration and delivering unforgettable performances of both timeless classics and the music of today.

Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to contemporary music, Trio Barclay has commissioned a new composition for every performance on their home stage, featuring works by John Wineglass, Sheridan Seyfried, Michael Fine, Sebastian Chang, Ya-Jhu Yang, Mark Abel and many others. Over their four years together, the Trio has significantly expanded the piano trio repertoire. Their latest recording is a labor of love, created to bring this new music closer to the hearts of fellow listeners. The ensemble has championed these works in concert both at home and on tour, performing across the United States, Central and South America, and Asia. Appearances at Festival Napa Valley, Festival Mozaic, and the Busan International Chamber Music Festival have established them as audience favorites.

Their performances—both live and recorded—can be experienced online, including their powerful soundtrack for Defining Courage: The Documentary, featured as the 25th episode of Our America on Disney+ and Hulu.For this album, Trio Barclay collaborated closely with each of the three featured composers, drawing on their long- standing creative partnerships both as an ensemble and as individual artists. Their interpretations reflect an intimate understanding of each composer’s distinctive voice.

Michael Fine, a Grammy winning producer, has also achieved international success as a composer. His works have been performed around the world by leading artists, and recordings include albums entirely of his chamber works (also featuring cellist Jonah Kim from the Trio’s new album), and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. His second trio, making its premiere on this album, is title California and offers imagery of the Golden State's multicultural mosaic through its variety, contrast, and musical eclecticism. Lively exterior movements bookend two soulful and personal adagios in the middle. The whole journey ends on a note of joyful affirmation.

Emmy Award-winning composer John Christopher Wineglass is equally at home writing for the screen and the concert hall and has enjoyed substantial recognition in both domains. The Washington Post has praised the iridescent colors of his music - colors that are often apparent in his many pieces which focus on the beauty of the natural world, such as the trio on this album (his second), inspired by Orcas Island in the Pacific Northwest. This work takes audiences from scenic vistas to atmospheric shorelines, with moods mysterious, evocative, and ecstatic by turns, painting a musical picture of rugged coastlines and luminous sunsets for his audience. The excursion is immersive, and delivered with aplomb by the Barclays.

The music of Sheridan Seyfried is a favorite among audiences and performers alike, offering a melodic and emotive style complete with plenty of drama. Seyfried's works have been played by artists including violinists Ray Chen and Ida Kavafian, and clarinetist David Shifrin, and have been featured on national radio (Performance Today), and at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Trained at the Curtis Institute by Richard Danielpour, he counts among his musical influences American folk music, cinematic scores, and composers from Beethoven to Bartok. These sounds are all apparent in the four-movement trio recorded by the Barclays - the impassioned opening gives way to the frenetic energy of the second movement, while the heartfelt third movement leads to a finale of great spirit and charm. Seyfried is a close friend and collaborator of all the members of Trio Barclay, having written sonatas for each of them individually, and three full-length trios for the ensemble, with a fourth in the works.

The album’s gorgeous aesthetic is no accident - album producer Michael Fine is a star in the classical world. His accolades include a stint as Artistic Director of Deutsche Gramophone, where he produced top selling releases in the late 90s, working with musicians including Cecilia Bartoli, Andrea Bocelli, and Anne-Sophie Mutter. He continues to be highly sought-after, working more recently with artists such as Myung Whun Chung, Valery Gergiev, and the Vienna Philharmonic. In this new release, Fine captures the intimate expression and full-throated passion of the Barclays, delivering a velvety-smooth sound the listener will want to surround themselves with.

Trio Barclay:
Sean Kennard, piano
Dennis Kim, violin
Jonah Kim, cello

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