Trio Con Brio Copenhagen's New Album: "The Passenger"

This year, the ensemble is celebrating their 25th anniversary!

Released on Orchid Classics, “The Passenger” features Mieczyslaw Weinberg's Trio for piano, violin, and cello, Op. 24 (1945) and Franz Schubert Piano Trio No. 2 in E flat major, D929.

Founded at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna in 1999, Trio con Brio Copenhagen is made up of South Korean sisters violinist Soo-Jin Hong and cellist Soo-Kyung Hong, plus Soo-Kyung's spouse, pianist Jens Elvekjaer from Denmark.

"The Passenger captures the essence of fragile existence and the pursuit of beauty amidst life’s uncertainties," Trio con Brio Copenhagen & Esben Tange said.

To purchase and listen to the album, click here.

Mieczyslaw Weinberg’s Piano Trio op. 24, was composed in 1945 in Moscow by the then 25-year-old composer amidst World War II’s turmoil. Infused with traces of klezmer music, this composition reflects Weinberg’s personal journey as a Polish Jew fleeing wartime atrocities, crafting a musical narrative that echoes both tragedy and resilience.

"As a Polish Jew, Weinberg fled eastwards when the Nazis invaded Warsaw. It was at the last moment," Trio con Brio Copenhagen & Esben Tange said. "Mieczysław Weinberg was the only one in his family to survive the Second World War. All four movements of the trio are characterized by unrest and despair," they added.

Inspired by the Swedish folk song “Se solen sjunker” (See the sun is setting), Schubert’s Piano Trio No. 2, written in 1828 was one of the last compositions completed by the composer. It resonates deeply with themes of human solitude and sadness, interwoven with moments of exquisite beauty and refinement.

"(the song) is about the sun sinking behind the mountain peaks, while all hope is chased away by night’s shadows," Trio con Brio Copenhagen & Esben Tange said. "Clearly the song made a strong impression on him, for the funeral march of the second movement, based on Se Solen sjunker, is the emotional climax of the trio."

A recipient of the Carl Nielsen and Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen Award, the Trio is based in Copenhagen and is known for its adventurous programming and creative concerts

The Trio appears regularly at the world’s leading venues and concert series, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall, Berlin’s Pierre Boulez-Saal, and the Concertgebouw, among others. The group also serves as artistic directors of the annual festival, Chamber Music at Lundsgaard, and the Hellerup Chamber Music Society in Copenhagen.

Their Orchid Classics discography includes an album of Shostakovich and Arensky trios, which was a Gramophone “Editor’s Choice” and a BBC Music Magazine's “Chamber Choice” of the month, plus an album featuring the complete Beethoven piano trios.

The Trio has also recorded the work of leading Scandinavian composers, including Per Nørgård, Bent Sørensen and Sven-David Sandström, who have written works for the group.

To engage young children in classical music, they are this season collaborating with Danish actor Søren Sætter-Lassen on a musical production of “The Little Prince” set to open at The Royal Danish Theatre. A tour is planned for the following year.

Soo-Jin plays an Andrea Guarneri violin, Soo-Kyung plays a Grancino cello, and Jens is Denmark’s first Steinway Artist. Both string players are endorsed by Jargar Strings and Thomastik-Infeld Vienna.