SMETANA TRIO RELEASE A NEW SHOSTAKOVICH/RAVEL ALBUM

The Smetana Trio have made numerous albums for both Czech and foreign labels. Since 2000 they have regularly recorded for Supraphon. The fruits of this collaboration have earned prestigious accolades at home and abroad – the CD featuring Smetana, Suk and Novák works (Supraphon, 2005), for instance, received awards from the French magazines Diapason and Le Monde de la musique and was named BBC Music Magazine Recording of the Month (August 2005) in the chamber music category. Another Smetana Trio disc, containing Dvořák pieces (Supraphon, 2006), was again BBC Music Magazine Recording of the Month (September 2006) and subsequently earned BBC Music Magazine’s 2007 Ch­amber Award, as well as a Diapason d'Or. The ensemble’s re­cording of Tchaikovsky and Dvořák works (Supraphon, 2008) was named BBC Chamber Recording of the Month for December 2008. In 2010, the critics lauded the Smetana Trio CD featuring compositions by Mendelssohn and Schubert for the “exceptional soloist qualities and brilliant technique, dynamic playing, perfect teamwork” and even referred to the “consanguinity of the three artists”.

On 21 March 2014, Supraphon will release a new Smetana Trio album (SU 4145–2), this time featuring the complete Shostakovich and Ravel trios. We asked the pianist Jitka Čechová:

What captivated the Smetana Trio most when recording the new album?

We were delighted by the inclusion on the CD of Shostakovich’s Pi­ano Trio No. 1, which was not initially in the recording plan. It is a work unjustly overlooked and we believe that our recording will make it more visible.

What was the most difficult aspect?

The actual recording sessions were amazing. We perceive the recordings made within our long-term co-operation with the superb music director Milan Puklický, the sound engineer Jan Lžičař and the piano tuner Ivan Sokol as the result of the work of a fabulous team in which everyone fulfils his/her role at 100%. We firmly believe that this album too will serve as proof – as have all the previous ones.

We also spoke to the violinist Jiří Vodička, a new member of the Smetana Trio, who recorded in the new line-up for Supraphon for the very first time.

Jiří, what captivated you most during the recording?

I am glad that we chose works by these composers in particular, since this repertoire is very close to us – owing to its irresistible vivacity.

What was the most difficult aspect?

Exploring and preparing all of the works takes time, and with regard to our solo activities we have to plan everything a sufficient time in advance. But the recording sessions themselves went smoothly and were a joy.

What is it like to be part of the Smetana Trio?

Being a member of the Smetana Trio is a highly prestigious matter, since the ensemble have garnered acclaim all over the world and have a long history. I have always had a great affinity to chamber music and wanted to devote to it in addition to appearing as a soloist. I was invited to join the Smetana Trio two years ago and am really happy about how it has worked out. Also close to me is the chamber configuration made up of the violin, piano and cello, since every instrument within it is a solo one yet all of them must play for each other.