Recorded for Czech Radio at the Martínek Studio (Prague) in October 2009, and April and November 2010, the works of Josef Bohuslav Foerster (1859–1951) have deservedly experienced a renaissance in recent years. Following the acclaimed albums of his two violin concertos (SU39612), cello concerto (SU39892) and complete string quartets (SU40502), Supraphon has now released the first-ever digital recording featuring the complete Foerster piano trios.

And, as in the case of the string quartets, the three piano trios also represent various creative phases, with the first and third being divided by almost four decades. Foerster dedicated his first trio to Edvard Grieg. The Norwegian composer lauded “the earnest, emotionally profound talent, tending towards high ideals”. The final trio was written in Prague, where Foerster had returned after living and working in Hamburg and Vienna for twenty-five years. The piece reflects the tumultuous postwar musical development and can be designated as one of Foerster’s most progressive compositions.

The young and gifted Janáček Trio interprets Foerster’s works with an understanding of the composer’s inner world and complete engagement.