In March 1881, Tchaikovsky received the news of the death of his friend Nikolai Rubinstein whilst he was in Paris – a great blow for the composer who had been engaged to teach at the newly founded Moscow Conservatory, thanks to Rubinstein. Tchaikovsky decided to dedicate a piece of music to his late friend – not a classical work for choir or orchestra but one for piano trio.

The memory of Rubinstein evidently enraptured him to the extent that he burst all dimensions with his Trio Op.50. Two monumental movements make up a memorial work which, however, also has optimistic moments. Following an “Elegiac piece” is a set of variations with a duration of nearly 30 minutes which comprises a slow movement, scherzo and finale, all under the roof of a simple Russian theme. Technically, this trio presents a challenge to every piano trio.

The Swiss Piano Trio has won numerous prizes at international competitions, including the International Chamber Music Competition Caltanissetta in Italy and the Johannes Brahms Competition in Austria. Founded in 1998, the ensemble has a busy performing schedule and has played in over 40 countries on all continents.

Swiss Piano Trio:
- Martin Lucas Staub (piano)
- Angela Golubeva (violin)
- Sébastien Singer (cello)