Customer Reviews

Debut

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this CD. It's the perfect mix of classical and popular, serious and funny, carefully planned and spontaneously unpredictable. The Chaminade and the Schindler are probably my favorite tracks and about as opposite in style as you can get; the former makes me laugh and the latter makes me cry. Violin and cello are "joined at the hip" with every note and the piano literally sparkles. I even like the fact that they play single movement excerpts from classics like the Mendelssohn, Brahms and Arensky. Doing complete works is probably just too traditional for these guys and it proves how much they love playing for its own sake, and the music comes out that way.

The players' passion for their music clearly comes through in this CD and you can hear the amazing rapport between the instruments. The pianist has dazzling technique and the tone coming out of the strings is warm and rich. Displaying their versatility and the difficulty of their repertoire, the Saint Michael Trio's "Debut" is a treat.

For three guys who don't make music their day jobs, these guys can really play. This CD is a must for anyone who is new to the classical world. One can't help but be pulled in to the infectious enthusiasm of this repertoire. If you want to introduce someone to the beauties of the classical world, and show them that it can be fun at the same time get this CD. If you are already hooked on classics, but don't know the wide world of chamber repertoire, you need this CD. This is like a super-sampler of the best of the collaborative music world. You get the supermen of the chamber field: Mendelssohn in what might arguably be his most solid contribution to the literature; the wonderful impressionist Debussy in an unexpected area of his repertoire; you get the holy grail of chamber composers, Brahms; and it is served with an appetizer of Chaminade and dessert by John Williams and Astor Piazzola. What could be better than to have a full-course gourmet meal of chamber music? The Piazolla is worth the price of the CD itself--he wrote thousands of tangos yet each is ever new in its musical delights and to hear a tango for this combination of instruments is a new discovery. What makes this debut CD so essential is the message that music really does make people smarter, as witness these three guys who obviously paid the price to become players, and yet were propelled into fascinating and varied careers outside of music. You want your kids to succeed in life--get them into music lessons, and keep them going so they can collaborate with friends in this kind of repertoire. This CD is not just music--it is a wake-up call to our society: music is fun; music brings people together; making music is better than shooting at each other.

The Saint Michael Trio has put together a stunning first effort with their descriptively titled CD--"Debut." So many initial efforts by independent classical trios come off as self-produced and in need of a little lift. Not so with the trio's strong opener. This eclectic combination of modern and classical pieces both soars with virtuosity and calms the soul. Hancock's strength and lightness on Mendelssohn's Trio in D Minor showcases the beauty and subtlety of the piece, and the trio's serene playing of William's Theme From Schindler's List gave me chills. We can only hope that this impressive collection will soon be followed by additional recordings.

If a string quartet is "four rational people conversing"(Goethe), then the Saint Michael Trio is three brilliantly rational people conducting a lucid and lively conversation. Their interpretations are so warm and felicitous as to make the music seem as though it has story lines. Their ensemble is flawless. Transcending the technicalities of coordination, it truly evokes Goethe's concept of conversation. From the brilliant opening of the Chaminade Scherzo to the mournful reflections of the theme from Schindler's List, the music sings with the live quality of speech. This debut breathes new life into an old and dusty genre. Let's hope it's the start of a trend.

I have had the pleasant opportunity to see this wonderful trio live.

They have captured the "live performance" feel on this CD.

One aspect to the Cd that you cannot see is that Russell Hancock performs some of his accompaniments from memory!

The Bay Area is certainly blessed to have such engaging artists

and you certainly would enjoy this purchase.

Dave Dumont

I first listened to this Debut album and then I had the privilege to here them perform live--an opportunity not to be passed up. Not only is their performance technically good, but the Saint Michael Trio plays with emotional depth in all their pieces. Each instrument sings a story. I recommend the SMT for anyone who wants to feel music more than just listen.

The opening bars of the St. Michael Trio's "Debut" sparkle with a joyous energy that makes me smile, and I expect that you will smile too. This first piece - a brilliant Scherzo from Cecile Chaminade - is a fitting introduction to an extraordinarily talented trio whose love of music shines through every measure. The album's skillfully paced program of old favorites and new friends excites the experienced while remaining accessible to newcomers. Highly recommended.

. . . I'm sure I've heard that Mendelssohn (Track 3) more than 400 times. Love the Debussy, John Williams. It's all so good.