The Czech Legacy II

With his piano trio in the traditional key of joy, B flat major, Dvorák - either knowingly or unknowingly - was continuing in the tradition of his two favourite composers, Mozart and Schubert. In contrast to Dvorák, Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) left only three chamber music works of importance, here performed by the Devich Trio Three cultures, three languages, three temperaments: The Hungarian pianist Hanna Devich, the Dutch cellist Jasper Havelaar, and the South African violinist Sarah Oates form this outstanding Trio. The number of their concert engagements is increasing every year, with bookings in Holland, Germany, Belgium, France, Hungary, and South Africa. In November 2004 their first CD was released, with the label Fineline (FL72402), Challenge Records. This CD, with works by Dvorak, Novak and Suk, has already been received enthusiastically by the press. REVIEWS: The Hungarian Hanna Devich plays the piano splendidly. Sarah Oates, from South Africa, is a true musician who can play everything possible with her violin. Jasper Bavelaar, a Dutchman, pleases me too. But it is the sublime teamwork of these enthusiastic musicians that lifts out this sympathetic CD far above the good mean.