Programs

Remembering Bruch

2020 Marks the 100 year anniversary of the great German Romantic composer Max Bruch. We mark the occasion with selections from his Eight pieces for clarinet, viola, and piano, Op. 83. A treat for the true Romantic, this can be pared with Mozart "Kegelstatt Trio"

O Canada!

The Zodiac Trio pays homage to Canadian composers with trio’s by Stephen Chatman, Srul Irving Glick (Klezmer Wedding) and Nicolas GIlbert (written for the Zodiac Trio)

Quartet for the End of Time

The Zodiac Trio once again pairs up with American String Quartet’s cellist Wolfram Koessel for a tour-de-force program presenting Messiaen’s quintessential  work  “Quartet for the End of Time”.  Optionally paired with Brahm’s Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano and Ravel’s Duo for Violin and Cello. 

America!

A special program originally commissioned by the Harvard Musical Association for their 2019-20 season, this program tips its hat to the American composer with music by Joan Tower, Daniel Gregory Mason, Charles Ives, Libby Larsen, Scott Joplin and William Bolcom.

The Devil's Final Challange

Written for the Zodiac Trio in 2019 for the 100-year anniversary of the Igor Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale,” this tongue-in-cheek work by American composer Andrew List serves as its sequel, finding the Devil retired, living in Queens, NY, as he prepares to take on his final challenge – a Klezmer clarinetist from Brooklyn!

KYONG MEE CHOI -“What Prevails”

Written for the Zodiac Trio in 2016, What Prevails is poignant work dedicated to those innocent people who were killed by acts of crime and violence.  The award-winning piece fully explores the various technical possibilities of the instrument, and pushes the limits of the ensemble in an intense and unforgettable way.

Zodiac Sample Programs

Once Upon a Time in Paris:

The trio goes back to their formative roots as once students of the Ysaye Quartet at the Paris Conservatory, with a program that tips its hat to French repertoire with a wide variety of compositions from Milhaud and Poulenc to some of today's most celebrated French composers - Connesson and Bacri. ​

Darius Milhaud – Suite for Clarinet, Violin and Piano Opus. 157b
Francis Poulenc – Invitation au Chateau
Nicolas Bacri - Smiling Suite​

Intermission

Guillaume Connesson – Techno Parade
Ida Gotkovsky – Trio (1985)

America!​

A concert featuring great American chambre music. Presenting some of today's leading composers like Libby Larsen and Joan Tower, alongside greats like Ives and Joplin, with some lesser known gems by Daniel Gregory Mason and Ned Rorem.

Joan Tower - Rain Waves
Daniel Gregory Mason - Pastorale
Scott Joplin – Ragtime Dances ​

Intermission

Charles Ives - Largo
Libby Larsen - Slang
Ned Rorem - End of Summer

Folk Sounds and Dances

Throughout history, composers looked at folk music, passed on generation to generation, for their inspiration.  In this program, we take a closer look at this phenomenon as we present five wonderful works inspired by music of the people.

Astor Piazzolla - Chau Paris (or Angel Series or Seasons)
Paquito D’Rivera – Vals Venezolano and Contradanza
Johaness Brahms - Hungarian Danes

Intermission

Srul Irving Glick – Klezmer Wedding
Bela Bartok – Contrasts

Quartet for the End of Time (with guest cellist)

The Zodiac Trio once again pairs up with American String Quartet’s cellist Wolfram Koessel for a tour-de-force program presenting Messiaen’s quintessential  work  “Quartet for the End of Time.” The program also features one of the pillars of the chamber music repertoire - Brahms Clarinet Trio Opus. 114, as well as the edgy music of Guillaume Connesson (or John Mackey). 

Guillaume Connesson – Adams Variations (homage to John Adams)
or
John Mackey - Breakdown Tango
Johannes Brahms – Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano Opus. 114

Intermission

Olivier Messiaen – Quartet for the End of Time

PROGRAMS CATEGORIZED BY AUDIENCE TYPE