French Moments

One year after its first Chandos recording, the young Neave Trio explores some of the most prominent French composers of the early Twentieth century in their new album. It begins with the ever-popular trio in D by Faure, an exploration of the deformation of high and low sounds composed at the end of his life when beset by deafness. Neave’s accurate and balanced interpretations perfectly capture the complexity and tension of the piece which in late Faure comes abundantly from texture and movement. This is followed by Debussy’s early piano trio, performed with a bright and radiant approach that provides great moments of lightness and clarity. But the dominant piece here is the much lesser-known trio by Roussel: only the second of his completed works to be published. Offering a unique musical world of contrasting shapes and colors elegantly thought through and at times atmospheric, this is a gem not to be missed.