I’ve written about composer/conductor/pianist Conrad Tao before. He’s one of our most interesting contemporary composers and musicians. Tao is part of a new ensemble called Junction Trio. Joining Tao in this group are Stefan Jackiw on violin and Jay Campbell on cello. The trio performs tonight as part of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County season at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.
Their program tonight features two distinctly different works. What intrigues me the most is the West Coast Premiere of Tao’s Piano Trio No. 2. He wrote this piece specifically for Junction Trio. The work had its debut in 2019.
The second half of the program features Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97, “Archduke.”
All three artists are considered to be amongst the finest of the next generation of classical musicians. Jackiw, who is also a member of Ensemble Ditto (a Korean music group dedicated to new music), has performed works ranging from Brahms and Prokofiev to David Fulmer’s Violin Concerto No. 2 which was written for him.
Campbell made his debut with the New York Philharmonic in 2013. He’s the recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and as a musician he emphasizes new work. Amongst the composers whose works he has performed are John Adams, Elliot Carter, Kaija Saariaho and George Perle.
Tao’s most recent recording was American Rage, released in late 2019. That recording finds him playing works by Frederic Rzewski, Aaron Copland and Julia Wolfe.
Junction Trio takes chances and mixes their program up with great regularity. A quick look at their upcoming schedule finds works by Ives, Dvorak, Shostakovich, Haydn and more. If you are a fan of classical music and have the chance to be in Orange County tonight, this is one concert not-to-be-missed.
For tickets go here.
Photo of Junction Trio by Shervin Laivez (L-R Conrad Tao, Stefan Jackiw and Jay Campbell)/Photo courtesy of Jcttrio.com)