The Ensemble
Michael Mücke - Violin · Jens Peter Maintz - Cello · Wolf Harden - Piano

Artists & Works
The sweeping impulsivity and musical gauge of their interpretations have led these "three divine sons" (Süddeutsche Zeitung) to where they are today. Undoubtedly, Trio Fontenay is currently the most renowned German piano trio. A fast-paced career developed in the mid-1980s, during the course of which the "young, wild ones" were continual guests at Europe's larger festivals. In 1986 they had their American debut. Since then, one or two large annual tours take them through the USA and Canada, within the scope of which the trio regularly performs in major metropolitan cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Montreal and Toronto. The ensemble's comprehensive repertoire is a cross-section of all piano trio literature, and with its interpretations impressed with intensity and faithfulness, Trio Fontenay has always aroused great acclamation from both its public and critics alike. For their complete recording of the Beethoven Trios, Trio Fontenay was award the annual prize by Deutsche Schallplattenkritik, as well as the French "Diapason d'Or". In Paris, the trio was appointed Châtelet Theatre's resident trio.
In this recording they play Piano Trio No. 1, op 35 by the Spanish pianist and composer Joaquin Turina from the year 1926 - a piece previously unrecorded by the Trio. Together with Manuel de Falla, Turina is held as the most outstanding representative of the modern Spanish school, which was motivated by French Impressionism, but in its melody, however, is attached to the folk music of Andalusia.
The second part of the concert includes Piano Trio in E-flat Major, op. 70 No. 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven. Carl Czerny, composer and student of Beethoven, says of this work, "this trio is no less great or original than its successor (Trio D-major, op 70 No. 1), but it is of a very different, less serious character." The trio in e-flat major was composed during the summer of 1808 immediately after the Sixth Symphony, and applies foreseen traits to Romanticism. Beethoven expands his realm of expression here in two somewhat converse directions: both in a seemingly romantically tonal colourfulness, and towards the inclusion of classic style elements by means of a stricter introduction.
Michael Mücke plays a violin from Gaspare Lorenzini (Piacenza 1780); Jens Peter Maintz plays a Violoncello from Vincenzo Rugeri (1696).

1. Konzertbeginn / Start of the concert

Joaquin Turina (1882-1949) · Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 35
2. Prelude et Fugue. Lento - Allegretto
3. Theme et Variations: Andante - Allegro - Andante
4. Sonate: Allegro - Allegretto

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) · Piano Trio in E flat major Op. 70, No. 2
5. Poco sostenuto - Allegro ma non troppo
6. Allegretto
7. Allegretto ma non troppo
8. Finale. Allegro

Maulbronn Monastery Concerts from UNESCO's World Heritage Site
The abbey founded by Cistercian monks in the year 1147 is the only completely conserved mediaeval complex north of the Alps. It was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1994 as the 13th German site, and is, therewith, in the illustrious company of such great monuments as the Egyptian pyramids and the Taj Mahal.
The internationally renowned monastery concerts have been organized since 1968. The performances take place in the unparalleled atmosphere of the abbey's premises (minster, cloister gardens, lay refectory). In the vaults illuminated by romantic candlelight, 25 concerts are held every year. We present a selection of the most beautiful works of ecclesiastic and worldly music in this edition.

The Edition
"What makes the European atmosphere so vivid? With what can the European heritage be defined? Where do the roots of European culture lie? Within the context of our documentary series Maulbronn Monastery Edition, we peruse these questions while documenting great works of European music in live excerpts from one of the most authentic sites this side of the Alps. I have personally experienced the perfect acoustic and architectonic beauty of the performance site and was greatly impressed. A publisher has no choice but to pursue the quest of recording these cultural values for future generations." (Josef-Stefan Kindler)