The Agassiz Chamber Music Festival features brilliant local and renowned international musicians in a weeklong celebration of music-making.  

This year, they welcome the award-winning Swiss Piano Trio as one of the distinguished special guests.  

 

 

Founded in 1998, the esteemed ensemble has been heard around the world, performing in 45 countries on every continent, all the while cultivating a remarkable reputation as one of the preeminent piano trios of today's age.  

Made up of founding members Angela Golubeva, violin, and Martin Staub, piano – music and life partners – plus cellist Franz Ortner, the group features prominently in the Agassiz Festival lineup.  

“It’s very thrilling to be in Winnipeg,” says Staub. “I love the festival because the programming of (Agassiz artistic director) Paul (Marleyn) is really very interesting."  

Having played on opening night Sunday and again Monday evening, the group’s next performance has them headlining “The Swiss Piano Trio and Friends” on Wednesday.   

“It’s very enriching meeting all these musicians,” says Ortner. “Putting things together which feel really fresh... everybody brings different things to the table.”  

On the program is music by Beethoven – the Piano Trio no. 4 in B-flat, op. 11, known as the "Gassenhauer" (Popular Songs) trio – plus two works by Swiss writers Paul Juan and Richard Dubugnon.  

“We always try to perform not only the traditional repertoire but also new repertoire,” says Staub. “We try to really take risks in the concert and to perform with emotions.”  

Winnipeg audiences will have one last opportunity to see the Swiss Piano Trio as part of the 2024 Agassiz Festival on Saturday afternoon, when they join a group of musicians to perform Bohuslav Martinu’s “La Revue de Cuisine.” 

“Very strange stories about all this kitchen stuff,” is how Staub sums up the work.   

Originally ballet music, Martinu added descriptions as to what was going on in the story. For instance, Pott and the Lid are married, though they are in danger of being broken up by the suave Twirling Stick. The quirky work will be narrated by Andrea Ratuski.  

Find more details about the festival and purchase tickets to individual shows online at: www.agassizfestival.com  

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