The Clarinet Trio Anthology features a comprehensive recording of the repertoire for clarinet, cello, and piano, deepening the long-standing musical friendship among three renowned Austrian musicians. This unique project comes during challenging times that allow for such artistic endeavors. The entire repertoire was released in 2022 as a 7-CD box set by DECCA.

The history of this ensemble configuration, beginning with Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms, is remarkable, as many famous composers like Max Bruch, Gabriel Fauré, Michael Glinka, Alexander Zemlinsky, and Nino Rota have written pieces for the clarinet trio--some well-known, while others remain hidden gems. An intriguing detail is the world premiere recording of a 16-bar fragment for clarinet trio by Arnold Schönberg, which directly led to Alexander Zemlinsky's clarinet trio.

Artistic highlights in the past include Daniel Ottensamer's solo performances with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the NHK Symphony Orchestra, and the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg under conductors such as Lorin Maazel, Gustavo Dudamel, Andris Nelsons, Adam Fischer, and Manfred Honeck, as well as collaborations with chamber music partners like Daniel Barenboim, Sir András Schiff, Barbara Bonney, Thomas Hampson, Bobby McFerrin, Heinrich Schiff, Isabelle Faust, Mischa Maisky, and the Hagen Quartet.

Stephan Koncz has also experienced artistic highlights through solo performances, recordings, and conducting with orchestras like the Philharmonia Orchestra (London), the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern, and the Munich Radio Orchestra. His chamber music partners include Leonidas Kavakos, Lisa Batiashvili, Janine Jansen, Ray Chen, Antoine Tamestit, Gautier Capuçon, Gerald Finley, Thomas Hampson, Anna Prohaska, Rudolf Buchbinder, Avi Avital, and Emmanuel Pahud.

Last season, Christoph Traxler had highlights that included performances of Beethoven's piano concertos in Japan and artistic collaborations with international figures like Manfred Honeck, Stefan Vladar, and Thomas Hampson, as well as appearances at festivals such as Verbier, Gstaad, and the Rheingau Festival.

Performers: Daniel Ottensamer (Clarinet), Stephan Koncz (Cello), Christoph Traxler (Piano)

Program: Ludwig van Beethoven: Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano in B-flat Major, Op. 11 "Gassenhauer Trio"; John Ireland: Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano in D Minor; Michail Glinka: Trio pathétique in D Minor; Jörg Widmann: Nachtstück for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano; Robert Muczynski: Fantasy Trio, Op. 26.