Presto Editor's Choice
August 2018

Editor's Choice
Gramophone Magazine
Awards Issue 2018

Briggs Piano Trio

Gál, H: Piano Trio in E Major, Op. 18
Gál, H: Variationen über eine Wiener Heurigenmelodie, Op. 9
Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67

"If you think of Korngold, you’ll be in the right area: lush harmonies, soaring melodies and an expert compositional technique. The Briggs Trio responds to the style with enormous affection, following the mood changes from passionate to witty with eagle ears, and it sounds as if they have been living with the music for a long time. For capturing their wide tonal and dynamic palette in the recording, the producer and engineer, Simon Fox-Gál – the composer’s grandson – deserves a special mention." - BBC Music Magazine, October 2018

"The playing throughout [the Gál] is simply exquisite: yes, it is a beautifully written gift for the three performers; but Briggs, David Juritz and Kenneth Woods make the most of it…The coupling of Shostakovich’s Second Trio provides the greatest possible contrast…Recommended with all possible enthusiasm." - Gramophone Magazine Awards Issue 2018