i Nocturne, ii À l'aube, iii Invocation, iv Pour Artémis
Mel Bonis’ Scènes de la forêt, Op. 123 (1928), is an impressionistic nature-inspired trio composed for flute, horn (or viola), and piano. The work evokes a woodland fairy tale, featuring dreamy nocturnes, sunrises, and mythical scenes with a delicate, tonal voice.
i Allegro brillante, ii Adagio espressivo, iii Rondo Polonaise
Cologne born Johann Wilhelm Wilms worked extensively in Amsterdam and is best known for writing the Dutch national anthem. The trio is thought to be an early composition from around the 1790’s is an attractive work, concise with simplicity of form.
i Pastorale, ii Caprice
Amy Beach’s Two Pieces for Flute, Violoncello and Piano – Pastorale & Caprice, “Water-Sprites,” Op. 90 (1921) are two distinct chamber works that showcase her skill in blending nature-inspired imagery with virtuosic, technical demands. Written in July 1921 in Peterborough, New Hampshire, the pieces are often characterized by a contrast between a calm, pastoral opening and a fast, sparkling second piece.
Marsyas Trio (Flute/Cello/Piano Trio)
The Marsyas Trio is formed of Royal Academy of Music graduates: Australian flautist Helen Vidovich, Canadian cellist Valerie Welbanks and Belarusian pianist Olga Stezhko.
Showcasing a diverse repertoire spanning the Classical and Romantic eras to the present day, the Marsyas Trio’s programming illuminates forgotten masterpieces while inspiring a new generation of works through commissioning and recording projects. Concert highlights include performances at Kettle’s Yard, Conway Hall, the Howard Assembly Room, the Red House Aldeburgh (Britten Pears Arts), Spitalfields Music, BBC Radio 3, the Three Choirs Festival and the King’s Hall in Ilkley, as well as appearances in Scotland, China, Switzerland, Bulgaria, the USA and Canada.
As recent winners of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Thea Musgrave Grant, the Marsyas Trio will tour a new programme celebrating Thea Musgrave’s music, alongside an exciting new work by young Scottish composer Lisa Robertson.
The trio’s most recent CD release on the Métier label, Alternative Readings, has been received with critical acclaim. Described as “this remarkable sequence of compositions by Michael Finnissy” (Gramophone, June 2024), the album - a collaboration with award-winning mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean - was awarded five stars by BBC Music Magazine, where it was also named Chamber Choice of the Month.
The Marsyas Trio’s previous recordings include A Triple Portrait (Meridian Records, 2015), featuring the music of Elena Firsova, and In the Theatre of Air (NMC Recordings, 2018), an album of works by living British women composers, which debuted at No. 7 on the Classical Charts.
As passionate cross-art collaborators and educators, the ensemble has developed a diverse portfolio of multimedia projects and outreach initiatives for children and teenagers across the UK. They have worked with many of the UK’s leading composers, as well as with public figures such as the late Janey Godley and Ed Balls.
The ensemble was selected as the FUAM Ensemble in Residence at the University of Leeds for 2024–25. Since 2022, the trio has been in residence at the University of Cambridge (Churchill College) as Artist By-Fellows.
The Marsyas Trio takes its name from Greek mythology, inspired by the bold, spirited passion of the celebrated pipe-playing satyr who dared to compete with Apollo in a musical contest.
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