About Halcyon Trio
The Halcyon Trio (clarinet, viola, and piano) has consistently received rave reviews for its energetic performance style, emotional depth, compelling repertoire, and immaculate ensemble playing. The trio masterfully carries the torch of the clarinet, viola, and piano genre invented by Mozart himself—a combination of instruments still unsurpassed in lyricism, contrast, agility, color, and resonance. Called “performing stars” and the "Summer’s Hot Pick of 2002" by the Star-Ledger of New Jersey, this trio plays with a level of musical cohesion that has repeatedly astounded critics and audiences alike.
"...after their flawless yet freewheeling performance ... the only response was simply 'Wow!' All three sparkled as they filled the flying music with drama and extraordinary ensemble." -- Classical New Jersey, October 2001
The Halcyon Trio commands a spectacular palette of sonic colors and textures via its unusually rich instrumentation and the individual artistry of its members. This ensemble enlivens music ranging from the Baroque and Classical periods to the current day, masterfully rendering the elegance of Mozart, the raw passion of Bruch, Schumann, and Reinecke, and the tongue-in-cheek humor of Francaix.
Committed to expanding the repertoire for their genre, the trio has commissioned new works by Lalo Schifrin, Gary Pratt, and by rising-star New Jersey composer Trent Johnson. The Halcyon Trio's debut CD recording features not only the world-premiere recording of Johnson’s new trio, but also the compact disc recording premiere of "Kleines Konzert" by Viennese master composer and orchestrator Alfred Uhl. The Star-Ledger of New Jersey praised this new recording as "crisp, energetically delivered and rhythmically concise." The trio's debut recording on Xtreme Medium is independently distributed through the trio's website—www.Halcyontrio.com.
Recent engagements of the Halcyon Trio include concerts in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Knoxville, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Maine, North Carolina, Texas, Amsterdam, and Baden-Württemberg, as well as master-class residencies at conservatories throughout the United States. Among these recent bookings are the world and regional premiere performances of the Lalo Schifrin Triple Concerto for Clarinet, Viola, Piano and Orchestra (the world's first of its kind) with Anne Manson and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (Neeme Järvi, Music Director) and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, (Lucas Richman, Music Director).