The Benaud Trio rose to national prominence in their native Australia after winning the Piano Trio prize at the 2005 Australian Chamber Music Competition. In this debut recording, these three young instrumentalists bring great verve to their performances of new Australian repertoire, giving an irrefutable demonstration that contemporary chamber music can be exciting, attractive and capture the imagination.

World premieres of works by four highly talented Australian composers are featured: Ross Edwards’ Piano Trio creates a unique sound world which seeks to reconnect music with elemental forces and restore such qualities as spontaneity and the impulse to dance. Paul Stanhope weaves fragments of Monteverdi’s ‘Dolcissimo Uscignolo’ madrigal throughout his single-movement Piano Trio somewhat in the manner of half-recalled memories.

The Piano Trio by Matthew Hindson displays influences of popular music styles within a classical music context where directness and immediacy are common features in the much of his music. Finally, Nicholas Buc’s Trailer Music (inspired by cinematic ‘trailers’) covers a range of emotions, on a journey through turbulent action set pieces, sinewy psychological dramas, quirky character stories, innocent romances and magical wonderment.

There is more in the Benaud’s chemistry than just earnest dedication. There is a real excitement for the music. They capture the essence of youth, talent and joie de vivre. The ensemble’s name is a tip of the cap to their shared love for cricket and their belief that the performance of the most exalted and refined of music can sit quite comfortably with a passion for the other riches of culture.

Benaud Trio:
- Amir Farid (piano)
- Lachlan Bramble (violin)
- Ewen Bramble (cello)