Dora Pejačević (1885-1923)
Piano Trio, Op 29 (1910)
Amanda Röntgen-Maier (1853-1894)
Piano Trio In E-flat major
Trio Orelon
rec. 2023, Castrezzato, Italy
Reviewed as WAV download
Da Vinci Classics C00926 [60]

Da Vinci Classics is a relatively new label on the classical scene, and on the evidence of the release schedule for the next two months, a remarkably prolific one (the list for each month comprises at least double figure new releases). Not only is the label prolific, but not afraid to strike out into relatively obscure areas: a look at the page listing our reviews will show you several unfamiliar names.

The two relatively short-lived female composers on this new release are not entirely unfamiliar, with labels such as cpo and dB Productions championing their works. Nevertheless, any new release including their music is to be welcomed; this is the third recording of each work.

Dora Pejačević was born in Budapest into an aristocratic Croatian family. She died in Munich from complications after the birth of her only child. She is considered to be the founder of Croatian classical music, and wrote in most genres except opera in a Romantic style with influences of Brahms. The trio presented here is actually her second, the first being a student work which remains unrecorded to the best of my knowledge. I reviewed a Naxos recording of it a few years ago (review) and was impressed, especially by its glorious slow movement. That response has been reinforced by this new recording, and given that I am finding even more to enjoy in the other three movements suggests that Trio Orelon have done a very fine job here.

Amanda Maier was Swedish, studying at Stockholm’s Royal College of Music, before performing at home and in Europe as a violinist. In Leipzig, she studied with Carl Reinecke and Hans Richter. It was there she met husband-to-be Julius Röntgen, also a composer. The conventions of the time prevented her from performing in public after marriage, but she continued to compose. She died of tuberculosis aged 41. This Trio is a student work, and there is an unevenness to the quality of the writing which is testament to its origins. I hadn’t heard the work before, and was a little unsure about it at first. It shows influences of Beethoven and Mendelssohn, and improves throughout the course of the 26 minutes. The standout movement is, without question, the Allegro con fuoco finale, which has a great depth of feeling as well as lovely melodies. So not quite at the same level as the Pejačević, but still very enjoyable and I am very glad to have made its acquaintance.

I perhaps might have programmed the works in the opposite order, with the lighter, more Classically restrained Maier preceding the richer sounds of the Pejačević, but it is a minor quibble, and easily dealt with by programming the player if one did feel strongly about it.

Trio Orelon are a German ensemble formed in 2019, with a number of significant awards already, including the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, and the tightness and musicality of their playing is evident from the opening bars. This is their second release; their first, also for Da Vinci, was of music by Amy Beach. They are definitely a group to look out for. The booklet notes are comprehensive and the sound quality is all one could want.

If one or both of these works is missing from your piano trio collection, then this is a very good purchase. Even if you have both these works already, there is still a strong case for buying this, for the performances are outstanding.

David Barker

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