Z.E.N. Trio: Brahms and Dvořák

Z.E.N Trio

What Z.E.N is an abbreviation of? From the first letters of the names Zhang, Esther and Narek. Zhang Zee plays the piano, Esther Yoo violin and Narek Hakhnazaryan piano. ZEN also refers to the philosophy these three musicians approach music making: giving up the self for total solidarity. The players came together for the first time in 2015, and not long after their first CD for the renowned label Deutsche Grammophon rolled off the presses. The ZEN Trio conquers the halls.

Brahms and Dvořák

Brahms, considered by many to be conservative, had an excellent ear for composers who advanced music. As a jury member, he provided the young Dvořák with a stipend several times, and he drew the attention of his publisher, Simrock, to the Czech. Brahms had less compassion for the youthful composer he once was: as a 56-year-old, he shortened his First Piano Trio, which he wrote when he was twenty, by a third. The Third Piano Trio by the mature Dvořák confirms Brahms' view of his talent.